• Faith: Catholic
• Career: Athlete
• Birthday:  March 14, 1997

Simone Biles is an American gymnast renowned for her extraordinary accomplishments and impact on the sport of gymnastics. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time due to her impressive array of skills, record-breaking performances, and numerous accolades.

Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. From the outset, her life was fraught with challenges. Her biological mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with substance abuse, which led to Simone and her siblings being placed in foster care. However, this adversity was met with an act of profound love and commitment. Simone and her younger sister Adria were adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, in 2003. This move provided Simone with the stable and nurturing environment she needed.

Nellie, a retired nurse, and Ron, a retired Air Force veteran, played a pivotal role in Simone’s life. They encouraged her interests and provided the emotional and financial support required for her budding gymnastics career. It was during a daycare field trip to a gymnastics center when Simone was six that her natural talent first came to light. She imitated the gymnasts’ movements with such precision that she was encouraged to take up the sport.

Simone Biles’ gymnastics journey began in earnest when she enrolled at Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston, Texas. Under the guidance of coach Aimee Boorman, Simone’s potential flourished. By 2011, she was competing at the junior elite level, and her career trajectory skyrocketed from there.

Her breakthrough came in 2013 when she won her first U.S. and World All-Around titles. Simone’s performances were characterized by a combination of power, grace, and innovation. She introduced new elements to routines, many of which were named after her, such as the Biles on floor (a double layout with a half twist) and the Biles on vault (a Yurchenko half-on, double-twisting layout off).

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Biles dominated the competition, winning four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, and floor) and one bronze (balance beam). Her success continued with subsequent World Championships, where she broke numerous records, becoming the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history with 25 medals.

In 2024, Biles became the most decorated American Olympic gymnast of all time, surpassing Shannon Miller's seven-medal haul, after winning her eighth Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics.

Simone Biles' journey has not been without its hurdles. In 2018, she revealed that she was one of the many gymnasts sexually abused by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Her public disclosure was a pivotal moment in the broader #MeToo movement, showcasing her courage and resilience.

Simone has since become an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, using her platform to call for accountability and systemic change within the sport. Her advocacy extends to mental health, a subject she brought to the forefront during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. By openly discussing her struggles with "the twisties," a condition that causes gymnasts to lose spatial awareness while performing, Simone helped destigmatize mental health issues in athletics.

In 2020, Bibles began dating Jonathan Owens, a professional football player for the Houston Texans. Their relationship blossomed, and in February 2022, Owens proposed to Biles, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

The couple’s wedding in April 2023 was a celebrated affair, attended by family and friends, and marked by the same grace and joy that Simone brings to her sport. Their union represents a partnership built on mutual respect and love, with both athletes understanding the demands and pressures of professional sports. Jonathan has been a supportive presence in Simone’s life, often seen cheering her on at competitions.

Simone Biles' Religious Beliefs

Simone Biles’ Catholic faith has been a cornerstone of her life, providing her with strength and guidance through her career’s ups and downs. Raised in a Catholic family, Simone’s faith was nurtured by her parents, particularly Nellie, who ensured that Simone and her siblings attended Mass regularly and received a Catholic education.

Simone has often spoken about the role of prayer and her belief in God in interviews. She attributes much of her mental strength and resilience to her faith. Before competitions, Simone is known to pray for safety and success, a ritual that offers her a sense of peace and focus. Her devotion is also evident in her public acknowledgments of gratitude to God after major victories.

The support from her church community and her personal relationship with God have been crucial during challenging times, such as her struggles with mental health. In 2021, at the Tokyo Olympics, Simone made headlines not just for her athletic prowess but also for her courageous decision to prioritize her mental well-being. By withdrawing from several events, she highlighted the importance of mental health in sports, a stance rooted in her understanding of self-worth, partly influenced by her faith.