Simone Biles has previously shared her strong sense of protectiveness over her younger sister, Adria, particularly during their adoption process. Before being adopted, the sisters spent three years in the foster care system due to their biological mother’s struggles with addiction.
At just three years old, Simone, along with her infant sister Adria, entered foster care as their mother faced challenges with drug and alcohol dependency. Simone, being two years older than Adria, naturally took on a protective, almost maternal role toward her sister during this period.
The two were later adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ron, and his wife, Nellie Biles, when Simone was six and Adria was four. Reflecting on their transition into their new home, Simone noted the hesitancy and caution they felt upon arrival, particularly on Christmas Eve in 2002. In her autobiography, she recalled feeling guarded, a response to previous experiences of instability. She explained that her grandmother observed her reserved behavior, attributing it to fear of trusting the situation due to prior separations. Despite this, Simone continued to care deeply for her sister, maintaining a nurturing and protective bond.
Years later, this bond remained strong. After Simone’s triumphant return to gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won gold medals in vault, team, and all-around events, as well as a silver in the floor event, Adria publicly expressed her pride and admiration. Sharing a childhood photo of the two, Adria acknowledged the profound influence her sister has had on her life, stating she would always look up to Simone and expressed her deep love for her.
This heartfelt tribute from Adria underscored the enduring connection and mutual support shared between the sisters, even as Simone continued to make history in her athletic
career.