Before Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history, she was a little girl facing an uncertain future in foster care. The grandparents who stepped in to raise her helped build the foundation for her extraordinary success. Now, as Simone embraces married life and a spectacular new home, her family’s reactions have sparked fresh curiosity.
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From Olympic gold medals to a beautiful new home with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles has achieved dreams that once seemed almost impossible.
But behind the medals, international fame, and glamorous lifestyle is a family story that began with hardship.
Simone’s parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, were not simply spectators cheering from the stands. They became the steady presence that transformed her childhood.
And while headlines have suggested that the couple disapprove of Simone’s so-called “LA house,” the truth behind that claim deserves a closer look.
A Childhood That Began With Uncertainty
Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio.
Her biological mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with substance use, creating an unstable home environment for Simone and her siblings.
When Simone was still very young, she and her siblings entered foster care.
For a child, that kind of disruption can be profoundly difficult. Familiar surroundings disappear, routines change, and the future becomes uncertain.
Simone has spoken publicly about experiencing food insecurity during her earliest years.
But an important figure in her family refused to let her story end there.
Her maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his wife, Nellie, stepped forward to provide a permanent home.
Ronald and Nellie eventually adopted Simone and her younger sister, Adria, in 2003. Their two older siblings were adopted by Ronald’s sister, Harriet, and her husband.
Simone began calling Ronald and Nellie Mom and Dad.
For her, they were the people who raised her, protected her, and gave her the stability she needed to grow.
Why Her Parents Weren’t Fans of the “LA House”
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The story behind the headline actually dates back several years.
In 2019, Simone purchased a house in Houston that reflected her own modern taste. Its sleek black-and-white design and resort-style outdoor space gave it a distinctly Los Angeles-inspired appearance.
People sometimes described it as an “LA house, but in Houston.”
Her parents, however, had different preferences.
According to a 2023 AmoMama report, Ronald and Nellie would visit and tell Simone that it wasn’t the kind of house they would have chosen.
Simone’s response was straightforward: it was her house, not theirs.
The disagreement appears to have been about decorating and architectural taste rather than a serious family conflict.
news.amomama.com
In fact, the story highlights something relatable: even the parents of an Olympic champion don’t necessarily agree with their adult child’s choices.
And Simone, having worked extraordinarily hard to achieve financial independence, was comfortable making her own decisions.
From a Houston House to a Custom-Built Dream Home
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There is another important detail: the home her parents reportedly disliked is not the same as the spectacular custom-built property Simone and Jonathan Owens completed in November 2025.
Their newer home, located outside Houston, took years to plan and construct.
It features a lakefront setting, a swimming pool, a basketball court, an in-ground trampoline, and dedicated spaces for their dogs.
Simone has shared glimpses of its construction and interior design, including the luxury-hotel atmosphere she wanted for the primary bedroom.
The couple began settling into the finished home in February 2026, after Jonathan’s NFL season ended.
Realtor.com
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There is no verified public statement establishing that Ronald and Nellie dislike this newer mansion.
The Parents Who Made Her Olympic Dream Possible
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To understand the relationship between Simone and her parents, it helps to look beyond the house.
Ronald and Nellie did far more than provide a stable childhood.
When Simone showed an aptitude for gymnastics, they supported her training and helped her navigate the demands of competitive sport.
Nellie became particularly involved in Simone’s development, helping create an environment in which she could train without losing the support of her family.
Eventually, Ronald and Nellie established the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas.
The facility became a training home not only for Simone but for other elite gymnasts pursuing international competition.
It was an enormous investment in their daughter’s future and in the broader gymnastics community.
The Washington Post
Their support extended far beyond paying for lessons or driving Simone to practice.
They helped build an entire institution around the sport she loved.
RARE PHOTOS: Simone Biles’ Remarkable Family Journey
The Early Years — Finding Stability
Ronald and Nellie adopted Simone and her younger sister Adria, providing a permanent family home.
A Young Gymnast With Big Dreams
Simone’s parents supported her training as her talent began to emerge.
2016 — Olympic Stardom
Simone became one of the defining athletes of the Rio Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and one bronze.
Her First Modern Houston Home
The sleek property became the subject of her parents’ lighthearted comments about its design.
2023 — Marriage to Jonathan Owens
Simone married the NFL player, beginning a new chapter in her personal life.
2024 — An Extraordinary Olympic Comeback
Simone returned to the Olympic stage in Paris and won three gold medals and one silver.
2025–2026 — Building a Home Together
The couple completed their long-awaited custom mansion and began enjoying the finished property.
The Latest Chapter: A House Sale and Another Move
In September 2026, Simone and Jonathan listed the four-bedroom Texas property they had used while their new mansion was under construction.
The asking price was approximately $1.2 million.
By early October, the property had found a buyer after only six days on the market.
Meanwhile, Jonathan’s NFL career has taken the couple to another city. He joined the Indianapolis Colts for the 2026 season, and Simone has planned to spend time in Indianapolis while keeping their new Texas mansion as a home base.
MarketWatch
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It’s another example of how their life together involves balancing careers, travel, and family.
The Real Meaning Behind Her Parents’ Reaction
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At first glance, a headline suggesting that Simone’s parents dislike her home might sound like evidence of a family disagreement.
But the documented story is considerably warmer.
Ronald and Nellie simply had different ideas about what made a beautiful house.
Simone preferred a contemporary, Los Angeles-inspired style.
Her parents wouldn’t have chosen it for themselves.
And Simone had no problem reminding them that she was the one living there.
For a woman who spent her childhood in foster care before being adopted by loving grandparents, the ability to choose and design her own home carries special meaning.
She has earned financial independence through years of extraordinary athletic achievement.
Her parents helped her get there.
And their different opinions about interior design do not erase the decades of love and support that came before.
The most meaningful part of Simone Biles’ story isn’t that her parents disliked her house. It’s that the little girl they welcomed into their family grew up to build a life, career, and home entirely her own.
Sources
- news.amomama.com
- people.com
- architecturaldigest.com
- realtor.com
- washingtonpost.com
- parade.com
- bet.com
Updated October 10, 2026. The “LA house” comments refer to Simone’s earlier Houston property, not her newly completed Texas mansion. No verified public statement was found indicating that her parents disapprove of the newer home.
For more heartwarming family stories, take a look at Robert Wagner’s daughter now that she’s 56 or catch up with Susan Dell’s daughters who have grown up away from the spotlight. And if you’re curious about navigating new beginnings, read about Prince Harry’s emotional experience with Meghan that changed everything for him.
