US gymnast Simone Biles enjoys immense wealth while her estranged mother Shanon Biles struggles with poverty and seeks reconciliation.
Parenthood is a journey full of unexpected twists and turns but for Shanon Biles the path has been more turbulent than most.
Despite her daughter, Simone Biles, achieving global fame and sitting on a fortune worth an estimated $25 million (Ksh 3.2 billion), Shanon finds herself struggling to make ends meet, working as a cashier and living close to the poverty line.
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In an interview with The Daily Mail, Shanon, 52, shared her desire to reconnect with her daughter, whom she has been estranged from for over two decades.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally,” Shanon said, her voice tinged with emotion.
“I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward," she said.
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Shanon’s life has been marked by significant hardships, including a long battle with drug and alcohol addiction that ultimately led to her losing custody of Simone and her three other children—Adria, Tevin, and Ashley.
At the time, the children were placed in foster care before Simone and Adria were adopted by their grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles.
This decision, while providing the girls with stability and a loving home, also created a deep rift between Shanon and her children.
“When we signed the (adoption) papers, it was like my dad flipped a switch on me—no communication, don’t call, and don’t visit. That’s how it was in the beginning,” Shanon recalled.
The pain of losing her children has lingered with her ever since, even as she has worked to rebuild her life.
Today, Shanon claims to be in a much better place, having conquered her addictions and finding peace in her sobriety.
“There’s a way [to recovery]. You have to learn to stay away from people, places, and things. Change your routine and live your life. Live your best life. I’m not the person I used to be. I’m okay today,” Shanon said.
“I’m a loving person. I’d give you the shirt off my back. I’m very different from what I’ve been portrayed.”
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However, despite her personal progress, Shanon’s financial situation remains dire.
Since 2022, she has stayed out of legal trouble and worked steadily as a cashier, yet she continues to grapple with debt and has previously filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
The financial contrast between Shanon’s current life and her daughter’s extraordinary success is stark.
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Simone Biles, now recognized as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, has earned a fortune through her Olympic achievements, endorsements, and media appearances.
Her social media accounts often showcase a life of luxury, from designer shopping sprees to a gleaming Range Rover.
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But while Simone enjoys the fruits of her hard work and talent, her birth mother remains in a precarious financial situation.
“Of course, I would accept her help. She hasn’t [offered] it so far. I’m here. I’m okay,” Shanon said.
Shanon remains hopeful that one day she and Simone can reconcile and move forward together.
Simone Biles, who has captured the world’s admiration with her unparalleled talent and grace, now sits on a fortune that stands in stark contrast to the life her birth mother leads.