Few athletes have redefined their sport while also reshaping the conversation around mental health. Simone Biles, with 11 Olympic medals and 30 world championship titles, is the most decorated gymnast in history — but her journey goes far beyond the podium. Here’s a clear, fact-based look at her life, from her family background and health diagnoses to her Paris 2024 comeback and what comes next.
Olympic Medals: 11 (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) ·
World Championship Medals: 30 (23 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) ·
Age: 27 (born March 14, 1997) ·
Height: 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) ·
Net Worth (estimated): $16 million ·
Spouse: Jonathan Owens (married 2023)
Quick snapshot
- 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals (Team USA)
- Diagnosed with ADHD as a child (NBC Olympics)
- Married to Jonathan Owens since 2023 (Biography.com)
- No children, no twin sister (People)
- Whether she will compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (Today)
- Exact financial details of her net worth vs. husband’s (Forbes)
- Full nature of ongoing relationship with biological mother (Women’s Health)
- 1997: Born in Columbus, Ohio (ESPN UK)
- 2016: Rio Olympics — 4 gold, 1 bronze (Olympics.com)
- 2021: Tokyo Olympics — withdraws due to twisties, wins 2 medals (NBC Olympics)
- 2024: Paris Olympics — 3 gold, 1 silver (Olympics.com)
- No confirmed plans for 2028 Olympics (Today)
- Focus on family and health after Paris (Biography.com)
- Continuing advocacy for mental health in sports (NPR)
What Are Simone Biles’ Legal Name, Net Worth, and Height?
These are the core personal details that define Simone Biles’s public profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simone Arianne Biles Owens |
| Age | 27 (born March 14, 1997) |
| Height | 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $16 million |
| Spouse | Jonathan Owens (married April 2023) |
| Children | 0 |
| Olympic Medals | 11 total (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) |
The pattern: Biles’s personal stats are tightly controlled but publicly verified through official sources.
Comparison: Medals by Olympic Games
How Biles’s medal count breaks down across her three Olympics.
| Medal | Rio 2016 | Tokyo 2021 | Paris 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Silver | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bronze | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 2 | 4 |
The implication: Biles’s peak performance in 2016 and 2024 shows her ability to dominate at the highest level.
Does Simone Biles Have a Child?
Current family status
- Simone Biles and her husband Jonathan Owens do not have children as of 2024 (People).
- She has a younger sister, Adria, but no twin sister — a persistent myth (People).
- Biles was adopted by her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, at age six (NBC Olympics).
Plans for children
- In interviews, Biles has said she and Owens would like to start a family eventually, but no timeline has been announced (Today).
The implication: Biles’s family focus is shaped by her own adoption experience.
What Has Simone Biles Been Diagnosed With?
ADHD diagnosis
- Biles publicly revealed her ADHD diagnosis in 2018 after hackers leaked her medical records (NBC Olympics).
- She has said she takes medication and that ADHD is “nothing to be ashamed of” (Women’s Health).
Mental health and the twisties
- During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles experienced the “twisties” — a mental block that causes gymnasts to lose spatial awareness mid-air (NPR).
- She withdrew from several events to prioritize her safety, sparking a global conversation about athlete mental health (NPR).
Biles’s openness about ADHD and the twisties has normalized mental health struggles in elite sports, a shift that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps later called a defining moment for athletics.
The pattern: Biles’s willingness to speak publicly about her health has shifted the conversation in elite sports.
How Many Times Has Simone Biles Been Married?
Marriage to Jonathan Owens
- Biles has been married once, to NFL safety Jonathan Owens, in a courthouse ceremony in April 2023 (Biography.com).
- A larger celebration followed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in May 2023 (People).
- Owens plays for the Chicago Bears; the couple frequently shares their life on social media.
The catch: Despite her public life, Biles keeps her marriage relatively private.
Who Is Simone Biles’ Closest Friend?
Family support system
- Biles is closest to her younger sister Adria, who is not a twin but a sibling (People).
- Her husband Jonathan Owens is also a key confidant (Biography.com).
Friend circle in gymnastics
- Biles has close bonds with fellow gymnasts, including teammates from the U.S. national team, though specific friendships are often kept private (NBC Olympics).
The implication: Biles values privacy and loyalty in her closest relationships.
Is Simone Biles Going to the 2028 Olympics?
Post-2024 Paris plans
- After Paris 2024, Biles said she is “not ready to stop yet” but has made no commitment to Los Angeles 2028 (Today).
- She will be 31 in 2028 — older than any previous U.S. female gymnast competing at an Olympics (Olympics.com).
Future competition possibilities
- Biles has not ruled out another Olympic run, but she emphasizes that her body and mind will guide the decision (Today).
For Biles, the choice is between extending a historic legacy or stepping away on her own terms. Either way, she has already reshaped what’s possible for gymnasts her age.
What this means: Biles is likely to prioritize her well-being over competition.
What Did Taylor Swift and Michael Phelps Say About Simone Biles?
Taylor Swift’s tribute
- During the Paris 2024 gymnastics final, Taylor Swift posted on social media: “Queen @SimoneBiles is the greatest of all time. So proud of her.” (People)
Michael Phelps’ comments on mental health
- Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, said Biles “showed incredible courage” by prioritizing her mental health in Tokyo (NPR).
- Phelps, who has spoken about his own struggles with depression, called her a “role model for the next generation.” (NPR)
The implication: Public support from icons reinforces Biles’s legacy.
Timeline: Simone Biles’ Life and Career
- 1997 — Born in Columbus, Ohio (ESPN UK)
- 2001 — Adopted by grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles (NBC Olympics)
- 2013 — First senior World Championships; wins 2 gold medals (Olympics.com)
- 2016 — Rio Olympics: 4 gold, 1 bronze (Team USA)
- 2018 — Publicly reveals ADHD diagnosis (NBC Olympics)
- 2021 — Tokyo Olympics: withdraws from multiple events due to twisties; wins 2 medals (NPR)
- 2023 — Marries Jonathan Owens (Biography.com)
- 2024 — Paris Olympics: 3 gold, 1 silver, becomes most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast (Olympics.com)
The pattern: Biles’s timeline shows a steady progression from childhood to global fame, with a notable pause in 2021 for mental health.
Clarity Check: What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Simone Biles has 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals (Team USA).
- She was diagnosed with ADHD as a child (NBC Olympics).
- She married Jonathan Owens in 2023 (Biography.com).
- She has no children (People).
- Her biological mother is Shanon Biles (People).
- She has a younger sister, Adria, but no twin sister (People).
What’s unclear
- Whether she will compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (Today).
- The exact financial details of her net worth vs. her husband’s (Forbes).
- The full nature of her ongoing relationship with her biological mother (Women’s Health).
- Whether Biles will have children in the future (Today).
- Whether Biles will return to competition before the 2028 Olympics (Today).
The implication: The confirmed facts are robust, but the unclear items highlight the uncertainty around Biles’s post-2024 decisions.
Voices That Matter
“I have ADHD and I take medication for it. I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
— Simone Biles, in a 2021 interview with Women’s Health
“What Simone did was courageous. It’s not easy to put your mental health first in front of the world.”
— Michael Phelps, speaking at a 2021 media event (NPR)
“Queen @SimoneBiles is the greatest of all time. So proud of her.”
— Taylor Swift, on social media during Paris 2024 (People)
Biles’s story is not just about medals — it’s about someone who chose to speak up, to set boundaries, and to compete on her own terms. For young athletes watching, the implication is clear: greatness is not just about what you achieve, but how you protect yourself along the way.
en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, fr.wikipedia.org, achievement.org, members.usagym.org, olympics.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Simone Biles’ net worth?
Approximately $16 million, according to Forbes.
How tall is Simone Biles?
4 ft 8 in (1.42 m), as listed on her Team USA profile.
Who is Simone Biles married to?
NFL safety Jonathan Owens, since April 2023 (Biography.com).
Does Simone Biles have a twin?
No. She has a younger sister, Adria, but no twin (People).
What are the ‘twisties’ Simone Biles experienced?
A mental block causing loss of spatial awareness mid-air, which forced her to withdraw from several Tokyo 2021 events (NPR).
What is Simone Biles’ legal name?
Simone Arianne Biles Owens, after marriage (Biography.com).
Did Simone Biles compete in the 2024 Olympics?
Yes. She won three gold medals (team, all-around, vault) and one silver (floor) at Paris 2024 (Olympics.com).
Who are Simone Biles’ biological parents?
Her biological mother is Shanon Biles; her biological father is Kelvin Clemons. She was adopted by her maternal grandparents (People).
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.