Simone Biles’ Biological Mother Seeks Forgiveness, But Is It Too Late?
Shanon Biles, the biological mother of Olympic superstar Simone Biles, is publicly asking for forgiveness from the daughter she abandoned as a toddler. Now 52, Shanon acknowledges her past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led to her decision to place Simone and her younger sister, Adria, into the care of their grandparents when they were very young. But Shanon, despite her newfound sobriety, wants Simone to make the first move toward reconciliation.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally — I’m just waiting for her and Adria,” Shanon shared with the Daily Mail. “I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward. I’m waiting for the opportunity, but I’m waiting on her to be able to come to me. Let’s sit down. I just have to be patient.”
Shanon’s plea has sparked a mixed reaction online. Some believe she’s letting Simone come around on her own terms, a decision many respect. They argue that it’s important not to pressure Simone, allowing her to take her time in deciding whether or not she wants to reconnect. Others, however, feel that the responsibility to initiate this kind of relationship should lie with the parent, not the child—especially a child who was taken away at such a young age. They argue that it’s unfair to expect Simone, who is now 27 and a world-famous athlete, to reach out to the mother who abandoned her.
Watching from Afar
From her home in Columbus, Ohio, Shanon has been following Simone’s success closely, watching her win medals at the Olympics and keeping tabs on her life through updates from her father, Ron Biles—Simone’s adoptive grandfather. “What I hear about Simone I hear through my dad. I speak to my dad all the time,” Shanon said. “If I need to know anything I call my dad. I ask him about Simone, and he keeps me posted.”
Shanon regrets the lost time, especially missing significant milestones like Simone’s recent wedding. Despite these regrets, she remains hopeful that one day, Simone and Adria will want to hear her side of the story and understand the struggles she faced when they were young.
“I’m not the person I used to be. I’m OK, today. I’m a loving person,” Shanon insists. Her plea for a fresh start is genuine, but many wonder why she’s making it now—especially as Simone has risen to fame and fortune. Some are skeptical, questioning whether Shanon’s timing is motivated by Simone’s success rather than a genuine desire to reconnect.
A Waiting Game
Adding another layer to the story, Shanon mentioned that Simone’s biological father, Kevin Clemons, is also interested in reconnecting with Simone. But, like Shanon, he’s waiting for Simone to take the first step. Shanon has his contact information but prefers not to use it, saying, “I do have a direct number, but I won’t use it. I want her to reach out to me. She’s 27 now. She’s married. I would have liked to have been a part of that, but I just have to wait for her. You can’t push anybody.”
Shanon’s stance of waiting for Simone to reach out has also divided opinion. Some see it as respectful, giving Simone the space she might need to process everything on her terms. Others, however, feel it’s another way of shirking responsibility—a continuation of the pattern that led to their estrangement in the first place.
As the world watches and debates, one thing is clear: the path to forgiveness and reconciliation, if it comes, will be on Simone’s terms, not Shanon’s. Whether this is the right approach remains a deeply personal question, with opinions as varied and complex as the situation itself.
