Early Life and Education of Simone Biles: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Simone Biles. From birth to education, explore key events.
Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast renowned as the most decorated gymnast in history, holding 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals. Considered one of the greatest gymnasts and Olympians of all time, she is tied for the second-most decorated female Olympic gymnast and holds the record for the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast. Her achievements have solidified her status as a legendary figure in the sport.
March 14, 1997: Simone Biles Born
On March 14, 1997, Simone Arianne Biles Owens was born. She is an American artistic gymnast and is considered the most decorated gymnast in history.
2000: Grandparents Became Caretakers
In 2000, Simone Biles' maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, began temporarily caring for Simone and her siblings after learning they were in foster care.
2003: Adoption by Grandparents
In 2003, Simone Biles and her younger sister Adria were formally adopted by her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles.
2012: Switch to Home Schooling
In 2012, Simone Biles switched from public school to home schooling to increase her training hours.
October 2013: Surgery for Bone Spurs
In October 2013, Simone Biles had surgery for bone spurs in her right tibia, sidelining her for three weeks.
2013: U.S. Classic Performance and Consulting a Sports Psychologist
In 2013, Simone Biles had a poor performance at the U.S. Classic, leading her to consult a sports psychologist, which she credits with helping her anxiety and confidence.
March 2014: Shoulder Injury and American Cup Withdrawal
In March 2014, Simone Biles had a shoulder injury that led her to withdraw from the American Cup.
August 4, 2014: Verbal Commitment to UCLA
On August 4, 2014, Simone Biles verbally committed to UCLA.
November 2014: Signed National Letter of Intent to UCLA
In November 2014, Simone Biles signed a National Letter of Intent to UCLA, with plans to defer enrollment until after the 2016 Summer Olympics.
July 2015: Signed with Octagon Sports Agency
In July 2015, Simone Biles signed with the Octagon sports agency.
July 29, 2015: Turned Professional
On July 29, 2015, Simone Biles announced that she would turn professional and forfeit her NCAA eligibility to compete for UCLA.
November 2015: Nike Sponsorship
In November 2015, Simone Biles announced her sponsorship by Nike.
November 23, 2015: Deal with GK Elite Sportswear
On November 23, 2015, Simone Biles signed a deal with GK Elite Sportswear to sell a line of leotards bearing her name.
August 2016: Kellogg's Special Berries Gold Medal Edition
In August 2016, Kellogg's put the Final Five's picture on the Gold Medal Edition of Special Berries.
September 2016: Spokesperson for Mattress Firm
In September 2016, Simone Biles became a spokesperson for Mattress Firm's program of supporting foster homes.
September 2016: Disclosure of ADHD and Medication Use
In September 2016, following a hack into the World Anti-Doping Agency, Simone Biles disclosed on Twitter that she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and was permitted to take medication for it, having applied for and received a therapeutic use exemption. She was applauded for opening up about ADHD.
2016: Deferred Enrollment
In 2016, Simone Biles deferred her enrollment from UCLA.
2016: Co-Wrote Autobiography
In 2016, after the Rio Games, Simone Biles co-wrote an autobiography with journalist Michelle Burford, titled Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance.
2016: Tide Commercial "The Evolution of Power"
In 2016, before the Rio Games, Simone Biles was featured in a Tide commercial with gymnasts Dominique Dawes and Nadia Comăneci called "The Evolution of Power".
January 8, 2017: "Courage to Soar" Reaches Number One
On January 8, 2017, Biles' autobiography "Courage to Soar" reached number one on The New York Times best sellers Young Adult list.
May 15, 2017: Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On May 15, 2017, Simone Biles was eliminated from season 24 of Dancing with the Stars, one week before the finals, finishing in fourth place.
August 2017: Began relationship with Stacey Ervin Jr.
In August 2017, Simone Biles began a relationship with fellow gymnast Stacey Ervin Jr.
September 2017: ADHD Disclosure
In September 2017, Simone Biles spoke about having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after her medical records were leaked online, revealing that she had been taking Ritalin to treat the condition during the Olympics. She emphasized that ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of.
January 18, 2018: Sexual Assault Disclosure
On January 18, 2018, Simone Biles said that former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar had sexually assaulted her and that USA Gymnastics helped cover it up.
May 2018: Biles and other survivors awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
In May 2018, Simone Biles and the other survivors were awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
2018: Broken Toe and Kidney Stone
In 2018, Simone Biles suffered a broken toe and a kidney stone.
2018: Collaboration with Caboodles
In 2018, Simone Biles worked with Caboodles to create and market products for women with active lifestyles.
March 2020: Ended relationship with Stacey Ervin Jr.
In March 2020, Simone Biles ended her relationship with fellow gymnast Stacey Ervin Jr.
August 2020: Started dating Jonathan Owens
In August 2020, Simone Biles started dating professional American football player Jonathan Owens after meeting on the dating app Raya.
April 2021: Apparel Sponsorship with Athleta
In April 2021, Simone Biles announced that she was leaving Nike for a new apparel sponsorship with the Gap's Athleta brand.
September 15, 2021: Testimony to U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
On September 15, 2021, Simone Biles testified to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that she blamed "the entire system" for enabling and perpetuating Nassar's crimes.
February 15, 2022: Engagement to Jonathan Owens
On February 15, 2022, Simone Biles announced her engagement to Jonathan Owens.
July 7, 2022: Presidential Medal of Freedom
On July 7, 2022, Simone Biles received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden. She was the youngest person to ever receive this award, the nation's highest honor for civilians.
April 22, 2023: Marriage to Jonathan Owens
On April 22, 2023, Simone Biles married Jonathan Owens.
December 19, 2023: The Pivot Podcast Controversy
On December 19, 2023, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens's interview on The Pivot Podcast went viral due to Owens' controversial comments about their relationship.
2024: Aggravated Calf Injury
At the 2024 Olympic Games, Simone Biles aggravated a calf injury in her left leg during the qualification round.
2024: Call Her Daddy Podcast
In April of 2024, on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Simone Biles addressed the controversy surrounding her husband's comments on The Pivot Podcast.
