Simone Arianne Biles is an American artistic gymnast and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of gymnastics. Born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, she rose from a challenging childhood to become a dominant figure in international gymnastics. Biles has competed at the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic Games, winning 11 Olympic medals consisting of seven gold, two silver and two bronze.
Biles became interested in gymnastics at the age of six after visiting Bannon’s Gymnastix during a daycare field trip. A coach noticed her natural ability and encouraged her to join the gym. She progressed rapidly through the sport and eventually became known for performing highly difficult skills, several of which were later named after her.
Beyond gymnastics, Simone Biles has developed a public profile through endorsements, business ventures, advocacy and media appearances. She has also become known for speaking openly about the pressures associated with elite competition and for supporting children in foster care. In 2022, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.
Simone Biles’s Early Life
Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. When she was three years old, she and her siblings entered foster care because of their mother’s struggles with substance abuse. Her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie Biles, eventually raised Simone and her younger sister Adria in Spring, Texas, and later adopted both girls.
Biles developed an interest in physical activity at an early age. During a daycare field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston, she watched other gymnasts and began imitating their movements. Coach Ronnie noticed her ability, and the gym subsequently contacted her family about enrolling her in tumbling or gymnastics.
She began gymnastics in 2003 and steadily progressed through the competitive levels. By 2011 and 2012, she had established herself in the junior elite ranks, winning major domestic competitions and gaining attention as a promising young gymnast. Her progress eventually led to her senior international debut in 2013.
Simone Biles’s Education
Simone Biles initially attended elementary school in Harris County, Texas. As her gymnastics training became increasingly demanding, she switched to homeschooling in 2012. This allowed her to dedicate more time to training and competition while continuing her education.
Biles completed her high school education through homeschooling and graduated in 2015. USA Gymnastics lists her high school as homeschool, with Spring, Texas, recorded as her hometown. Her education was therefore completed outside the traditional classroom setting during the period when her gymnastics career was accelerating.
After high school, Biles did not follow the conventional college gymnastics route. Her decision to remain focused on elite gymnastics allowed her to continue competing internationally and preparing for the Olympic Games. Her professional development has subsequently included athletics, business, advocacy and public speaking.
Simone Biles’s Career
Simone Biles began competing at the elite level as a junior before making her senior international debut in 2013. That year, she won the U.S. all-around championship and the World all-around title, establishing herself as a major figure in women’s artistic gymnastics. Her early senior success marked the beginning of a career defined by world titles, Olympic medals and increasingly difficult routines.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles won four gold medals in the team, individual all-around, vault and floor exercise events, along with a bronze medal on balance beam. Her five medals at the Games tied the record for the most medals won by a U.S. gymnast at a single Olympics.
Her career took a different turn at the Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 after being postponed from 2020. Biles withdrew from several events after experiencing what gymnasts call the “twisties,” while later returning to win a bronze medal on balance beam and a silver medal with the U.S. team. Her decision brought significant attention to athlete wellbeing and the pressures of elite competition.
After taking time away from competition, Biles returned to elite gymnastics in 2023. She won the U.S. all-around title and multiple gold medals at the World Championships, becoming the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history. Her return also positioned her for another Olympic appearance.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles helped the United States win gold in the women’s team event and also won individual gold medals in the all-around and vault. She added a silver medal in floor exercise and advanced to the balance beam final. Her Paris results brought her Olympic total to 11 medals, including seven gold.
Simone Biles’s Plans to Move to Indianapolis to Support Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles is currently attracting attention after announcing plans to temporarily move to Indianapolis to support her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, during the 2026 football season. Owens signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2026, and Biles recently told People that she intends to relocate closer to him.
The move comes after the couple completed a custom-built home in the Houston area. Biles and Owens had previously spent part of their lives in different locations because of Owens’ NFL career, including a period when Biles followed him to Illinois while he played for the Chicago Bears.
Biles’ announcement has also renewed public interest in her future in gymnastics. She has trained at her Houston gym during 2026, but there has been no confirmed announcement that she will compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her immediate public comments have focused on supporting Owens during his NFL season.
Simone Biles’s Personal Life
Simone Biles is married to NFL player Jonathan Owens. The couple met through the dating app Raya in 2020 and began dating that year. Owens proposed in 2022, and they married in April 2023 in a courthouse ceremony before holding a larger wedding celebration in Cabo San Lucas.
Biles and Owens have frequently supported each other’s professional careers. Owens has played for several NFL teams, while Biles has continued her gymnastics career and public activities. The couple has also discussed plans to have children in the future, although they have not announced a specific timeline.
Family has remained an important part of Biles’ story. She and her sister Adria were raised by their grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles, who later adopted them. Biles has also used her public platform to advocate for children in foster care and has worked with organizations supporting young people.
Simone Biles’s Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, making her 29 years old in 2026. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, and was raised in Spring, Texas. She is American by nationality and represents the United States in international gymnastics.
Biles is 4 feet 8 inches tall, or approximately 142 centimeters. Her compact build, explosive power, flexibility and exceptional control have contributed to her ability to perform highly difficult gymnastics skills. Team USA lists her height as 4 feet 8 inches.
Biles has not publicly established a particular religion as a central part of her public biography, so her religious affiliation is not reliably confirmed. Her physical appearance is widely associated with her athletic build, muscular physique and distinctive competition style, while her routines have become recognizable for their difficulty and execution.
Simone Biles’s Net Worth
Simone Biles’ exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed through audited financial records. Various media estimates have placed her wealth in the tens of millions of dollars, with a 2026 estimate from Parade discussing her substantial earnings outside gymnastics.
A significant portion of Biles’ income has come from endorsement partnerships rather than gymnastics competition itself. Unlike professional athletes in major sports leagues, elite U.S. gymnasts do not receive a conventional league salary, while sponsorships, appearances and commercial partnerships can provide substantial income.
Biles has also expanded her career beyond competition through business activities, media projects, speaking engagements and brand partnerships. Given the limited availability of private financial information, a precise current figure cannot be established, but published estimates place her among the highest earning gymnasts through a combination of athletic success and commercial opportunities.
Simone Biles’s Legacy
Simone Biles’ legacy in gymnastics is reflected in her record of Olympic and World Championship achievements. She has won 11 Olympic medals and holds numerous records at the World Championships, including records for World Championship gold medals and total medals.
Her influence also extends beyond medal counts. Biles became an important figure in discussions about athlete wellbeing after stepping back from several events at the Tokyo Olympics and subsequently speaking publicly about the pressures faced by elite athletes. Her 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom further recognized her broader public impact.
Biles has also helped bring attention to the experiences of children in foster care and has used her public platform for advocacy. Her autobiography, Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, was published in 2017, adding another dimension to her public career and personal story.
Conclusion
Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast whose career has combined extraordinary competitive achievements with a significant public presence outside sport. From discovering gymnastics at age six and progressing through the elite ranks to winning 11 Olympic medals across three Games, she has established a record that places her among the most accomplished gymnasts in history. Her marriage to Jonathan Owens, advocacy work, commercial career and continued involvement in gymnastics have also kept her in the public eye beyond Olympic competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simone Biles
Who is Simone Biles?
Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast and three-time Olympian known for her record number of Olympic and World Championship medals.
How old is Simone Biles?
Simone Biles is 29 years old as of 2026. She was born on March 14, 1997.
Where was Simone Biles born?
Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, United States.
Where did Simone Biles grow up?
Simone Biles grew up in Spring, Texas, after being raised by her grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles, who later adopted her and her sister Adria.
How tall is Simone Biles?
Simone Biles is 4 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 142 centimeters.
What is Simone Biles’s nationality?
Simone Biles is American and represents the United States in international gymnastics.
What religion is Simone Biles?
Simone Biles has not publicly established a specific religious affiliation as a central part of her public biography.
Who is Simone Biles’s husband?
Simone Biles is married to NFL player Jonathan Owens. They married in 2023.
When did Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens get married?
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens married in April 2023 in a courthouse ceremony and later held a larger wedding celebration in Cabo San Lucas.
Does Simone Biles have children?
Simone Biles does not have children. She and Jonathan Owens have publicly discussed having children as part of their future plans.
When did Simone Biles start gymnastics?
Simone Biles started gymnastics at the age of six after attending a daycare field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix in Houston, Texas.
Where did Simone Biles go to school?
Simone Biles attended elementary school in Texas before switching to homeschooling in 2012. She graduated from homeschool in 2015.
How many Olympic medals has Simone Biles won?
Simone Biles has won 11 Olympic medals: seven gold, two silver and two bronze.
How many Olympic Games has Simone Biles competed in?
Simone Biles has competed at three Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
What is Simone Biles famous for?
Simone Biles is famous for her exceptional achievements in artistic gymnastics, including multiple Olympic gold medals, World Championship records and highly difficult gymnastics skills named after her.
What is Simone Biles’s Instagram handle?
Simone Biles’s Instagram handle is @simonebiles.
What is Simone Biles’s net worth?
Simone Biles’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Published media estimates place her wealth in the tens of millions of dollars, with much of her income coming from endorsements, business activities and other commercial opportunities.
Is Simone Biles still competing in gymnastics?
Simone Biles has not announced a confirmed return to Olympic competition for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. She has remained involved in gymnastics and training, but her future competitive schedule remains subject to her own decisions and announcements.
Why is Simone Biles currently in the news?
Simone Biles is currently in the news after announcing plans to move temporarily to Indianapolis to support her husband Jonathan Owens during his 2026 NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts.