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 recognized as the most decorated gymnast in history, holding 30 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals. She's widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and one of the greatest female athletes. Her Olympic medal count ties her with Věra Čáslavská as the second-most decorated female Olympic gymnast, and she holds the record for the most Olympic medals earned by an American gymnast.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

March 14, 1997: Simone Biles's Birth

On March 14, 1997, Simone Arianne Biles Owens (née Biles) was born. She is an American artistic gymnast.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Grandparents' Temporary Care

In 2000, Simone Biles's maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his second wife, Nellie Cayetano Biles, began caring temporarily for Shanon's children in Spring, Texas.

2003: Formal Adoption by Grandparents

In 2003, Ron Biles and Nellie Cayetano Biles formally adopted Simone and her younger sister Adria.

2012: Switch to Home Schooling in 2012

In 2012, Simone Biles switched from public school to home schooling, allowing her to increase her training hours.

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, planning to defer enrollment until after the 2016 Summer Olympics.

July 29, 2015: Turning Professional

On July 29, 2015, Simone Biles announced that she would turn professional and forfeit her NCAA eligibility to compete for UCLA.

September 2016: Disclosure of ADHD and Medication

In September 2016, after her medical information was released, Simone Biles disclosed on Twitter that she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was permitted to take medication for it, having received a therapeutic use exemption. She was applauded for opening up about ADHD.

2016: Deferred Enrollment to UCLA After Olympics

In 2016, Simone Biles had planned to defer enrollment to UCLA until after the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

2016: Appearance in Tide Commercial

In 2016, in the runup to the Rio Games, Simone Biles appeared in a Tide commercial called "The Evolution of Power" with Dominique Dawes and Nadia Comăneci.

2016: Named to 2016 Rio Summer Olympics Team

On July 10, 2016, Simone Biles was officially named to the team representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, marking a significant milestone in her career.

August 2017: Relationship with Stacey Ervin Jr.

In August 2017, Simone Biles began a relationship with fellow gymnast Stacey Ervin Jr.

September 2017: Speaking about ADHD diagnosis

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.

January 18, 2018: Biles reveals Larry Nassar's sexual assault

On January 18, 2018, Simone Biles publicly announced that she was sexually assaulted by former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar and accused USA Gymnastics of covering it up.

May 2018: Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In May 2018, it was announced that Simone Biles and the other survivors would be awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

March 2020: End of 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 began dating professional American football player Jonathan Owens after meeting him through the dating app Raya.

February 2021: Criticism of ESPN's SportsCenter

In February 2021, Simone Biles criticized ESPN's SportsCenter for excluding women athletes in their "Greatest of All Time" picture.

July 28, 2021: Simone Biles withdraws from the individual all-around competition

On July 28, 2021, Simone Biles withdrew from the finals of the individual all-around competition at the Olympics, citing concerns about her mental health.

September 2021: Appearance on the Time 100

In September 2021, Simone Biles appeared on the Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, for "championing mental health".

February 15, 2022: Engagement to Jonathan Owens

On February 15, 2022, Simone Biles announced her engagement to Jonathan Owens.

April 22, 2023: Marriage to Jonathan Owens

On April 22, 2023, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens were married.

June 2025: Breast Augmentation

In June 2025, Simone Biles underwent a breast augmentation and has openly discussed details of the procedure. She has also disclosed receiving other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures including a lower blepharoplasty and earlobe surgery.