Simone Biles recently shared her thoughts on the crucial topic of support for foster children. Despite her stellar career, Biles faced a challenging upbringing.
Born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, she was placed in foster care at the age of three alongside her siblings due to her biological mother’s struggles with addiction.
For three years, Biles and her siblings navigated the complexities of foster care until their maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his second wife Nellie, stepped in to adopt Simone and her younger sister Adria. The family resettled in Houston, Texas, providing stability and a loving home.
Opened up about her time in foster care
Today, Biles has transformed her personal journey into advocacy, serving as an ambassador for Friends of the Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.
In a recent interview with Alisyn Camerota for CNN Heroes, Biles opened up about her time in foster care, emphasizing the importance of support for foster children and shedding light on her own experiences to inspire positive change.
“I actually was a foster kid so I know some of the hardships that those kids go through,” said Biles.
“When my siblings and I entered foster care, it was because our biological mom was stuggling with drug and alcohol abuse.
“I was three years old. I just remember us, as kids, being so hungry and I remember this cat that would get fed and not us. Thankfully, we actually got to stay in one foster home and we were all together.”
