Simone Biles Biography: The Greatest Gymnast in History

October 13, 2026

admin

Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Born March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, she has won 11 Olympic medals — the most by any U.S. gymnast — and 30 World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history with 41 combined medals. From foster care to Olympic glory, her story spans Rio 2016, the Tokyo “twisties,” and a triumphant Paris 2024 comeback.

Quick facts

Full name: Simone Arianne Biles Owens (née Biles)
Born: March 14, 1997, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Nationality: American
Occupation: Artistic gymnast
Known for: Most decorated gymnast in history (11 Olympic, 30 World medals)
Spouse: Jonathan Owens (married April 2023)
Height: 4 ft 8 in (142 cm)

Early life and background

Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, the third of four children (Wikipedia). Her biological mother struggled with substance abuse, and all four siblings entered foster care when Simone was three. At six, she and her younger sister Adria were adopted by their grandfather Ronald Biles and his wife Nellie, and the family settled in Spring, Texas.

Biles discovered gymnastics almost by accident: at six, a daycare field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastics in Houston revealed a natural talent that coaches noticed immediately. She began training seriously under coach Aimee Boorman and entered the junior elite division by 2011.

Career: from junior elite to the GOAT

Biles burst onto the senior scene in 2013, winning her first World all-around title at 16 — the first of a record six World all-around championships (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), per Wikipedia. She went on to dominate every apparatus: six World floor titles, four World beam titles, two World vault titles, and a record five gold-medal-winning U.S. teams.

Rio 2016: coronation

At the Rio Olympics, Biles led the U.S. “Final Five” to team gold and won the individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise titles, plus bronze on balance beam — four golds and a bronze. She became a global superstar overnight.

Tokyo 2020: the twisties

At the Tokyo Games (held in 2021), Biles withdrew from most events after the qualification round, citing the “twisties” — a dangerous loss of spatial awareness mid-air. She returned to win team silver and beam bronze. Her openness about mental health and athlete safety changed the conversation around elite sport and earned her the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

Paris 2024: the comeback

Biles returned to the biggest stage at Paris 2024 and delivered one of the great comebacks in sports history: gold with the U.S. team (the “Golden Girls”), gold in the all-around, gold on vault, and silver on floor. At 27, she was the oldest women’s Olympic all-around champion since 1952, earning Laureus World Comeback of the Year honours.

Major achievements

11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) — the most by any U.S. gymnast, tied for second-most by any female Olympic gymnast
30 World Championship medals (23 gold) — the most by any gymnast, male or female
41 combined Olympic and World medals — the most decorated gymnast in history
Two-time Olympic all-around champion (2016, 2024) and two-time Olympic vault champion (2016, 2024)
Eight-time U.S. national all-around champion, more than any American woman
Four skills across floor, beam, and vault named the “Biles” in her honour — including the Yurchenko double pike on vault, never before landed by a woman in competition
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022), the youngest recipient

Personal life

Biles married NFL safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023 (a courthouse ceremony, followed by a second celebration). Owens signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2026 after stints with the Texans, Packers, and Bears (Spotrac; NBC Sports).

On October 4, 2026, Biles flew to London to watch Owens and the Colts face the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — a 30–13 Colts win (TMSPN) — wearing a custom London-inspired trench-coat tribute outfit designed by Kelly Daley, with Owens’ No. 38 and name in rhinestones (PureWow). The trip came days after she told Us Weekly she had planned to skip away games this season (USA Rite).

In September 2026, Biles told the Associated Press she remains undecided about competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying “it’s kind of in the works which way I’m leaning towards” — weighing a home-soil swansong against turning 31 and starting a family with Owens (Bleacher Report; TSN).

Net worth snapshot

Simone Biles’s net worth is estimated at around $25 million as of 2026 — built almost entirely outside competition, through endorsements with brands like Athleta, Visa, and Uber Eats, plus tours and media. Forbes estimated her 2024 earnings at $11.2 million, making her one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes. Read the full breakdown in Simone Biles’s net worth.

Frequently asked questions

How many Olympic medals does Simone Biles have?

Simone Biles has 11 Olympic medals: 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze — the most by any U.S. gymnast. Combined with her 30 World Championship medals, she is the most decorated gymnast in history with 41 medals.

What happened to Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics?

At the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021), Biles withdrew from most events after developing the “twisties,” a temporary loss of spatial awareness while twisting that makes gymnastics dangerous. She returned to win team silver and beam bronze, and her decision became a landmark moment for athlete mental health.

Is Simone Biles competing at the 2028 Olympics?

As of September 2026, Biles has not decided. She told the Associated Press she is “leaning towards” a return for a home Olympics in Los Angeles, but is weighing her age — she will be 31 — and plans to start a family with husband Jonathan Owens.

Who is Simone Biles married to?

Simone Biles is married to NFL safety Jonathan Owens. They married in April 2023; Owens signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2026.