Ashley Biles Thomas is best known as the older sister of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, but her own life story is very different from her famous sibling’s. While Simone became a world champion and global sports icon, Ashley faced many personal challenges, including family separation, a difficult childhood, and later struggles in adulthood. Her life tells a story of survival, motherhood, and resilience away from fame and the spotlight. Understanding Ashley’s journey helps reveal the unseen side of the Biles family and shows how two sisters, raised in different homes, found very different paths through life.
Quick Facts
📛 Full Name: Ashley Biles Thomas
🎂 Date of Birth: February 15, 1990
🎉 Age: 35 years old (as of 2025)
📍 Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, USA
📏 Height: 5 feet 2 inches
👩👧👦 Famous For: Being the older sister of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles
👪 Parents: Shanon Biles (mother), father’s name not publicly known
🧒 Siblings: Tevin Biles, Simone Biles, Adria Biles
🏠 Current Residence: Columbus, Ohio, USA
💖 Children: Multiple children, including triplets
✨ Nationality: American
🌟 Known Traits: Resilient, caring, private, and family-oriented
Early Life and Childhood Struggles
Ashley Biles Thomas was born on February 15, 1990, in Columbus, Ohio. She grew up as the oldest of four children, with siblings Tevin, Simone, and Adria. Her early childhood was filled with love for her younger siblings, especially Simone and Adria, whom she often cared for. Their mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, making it hard to provide a stable home. Because of these problems, child services eventually stepped in when Ashley was about nine or ten years old. All four children were placed in foster care together. During this time, Ashley took on a caretaker role, dressing her sisters, helping them sleep, and comforting them through difficult nights. Even as a child, she showed great maturity and strength. Living in foster care was emotionally hard, but it taught Ashley to be responsible and resilient at a young age.
Family Separation and Adoption
In 2003, a major change came to the Biles family. Their grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie, decided to adopt the two youngest sisters, Simone and Adria, and take them to live in Texas. Ashley and her brother Tevin stayed in Ohio, where they were adopted by their great-aunt Harriet, Ron’s sister. Reports suggest Ashley and Tevin chose to remain in Ohio because it felt like home to them. This separation deeply affected the family, as it meant the siblings would grow up in different states and under different family conditions. Simone grew up in a stable and supportive home that encouraged her gymnastics talent, while Ashley’s life in Ohio continued to be filled with challenges. This moment shaped both sisters’ futures, showing how different environments can create very different outcomes in life and emotional growth.
Life in Ohio After the Family Split
After the adoption, Ashley and her brother Tevin adjusted to life in Ohio under their great-aunt’s care. Being separated from her younger sisters was difficult for Ashley, who had spent much of her childhood caring for them. While Simone found structure, guidance, and athletic opportunities in Texas, Ashley’s surroundings in Ohio lacked the same support and stability. She had to face the challenges of growing up in a working-class environment, where opportunities were limited. Over time, these differences shaped their adult lives—Simone rising to international fame, and Ashley navigating a more private, and often difficult, path. The emotional distance created by the family split continued to affect Ashley’s life and her sense of belonging.
Legal Troubles and Public Challenges
Ashley’s adult life has included several legal issues that drew public attention. In 2014, she was arrested in Delaware County, Ohio, after police found 90 pills of oxycodone and 60 pills of oxymorphone in her car. She was charged with drug trafficking and possession, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail with four years of probation. However, she served only a few days before being placed on probation. In 2019, she faced more legal problems, including an assault conviction that resulted in a fine and two years of probation. That same year, she was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, but the charge was dismissed.
Her most serious arrest occurred in July 2021, just before her sister Simone competed in the Tokyo Olympics. She faced multiple charges, including driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, leaving an accident scene, and violating probation. This incident drew attention to the contrast between her struggles and Simone’s success. While the media often highlighted Simone’s Olympic achievements, Ashley’s difficulties were covered with less empathy. Her story reflects the long-term effects of trauma, instability, and the challenges of trying to rebuild a life after hardship.
Personal Life and Family
Ashley is also a devoted mother. In 2016, it was mentioned that she had a daughter who was seven years old at that time. Later, she gave birth to triplets, expanding her family. In 2020, she experienced a heartbreaking loss when the father of her triplets passed away. On social media, Ashley shared posts expressing her grief and love for him, showing her emotional strength and devotion to her children. Despite her past challenges, Ashley has worked hard to raise her children and provide them with love and care. She values her privacy and keeps her personal life away from the public eye. Her life as a mother shows her deep resilience and determination to give her children the stability she lacked in her own childhood.
Ashley Biles Thomas Father
Ashley Biles Thomas’s father has never been publicly identified, and his name is not known to the public. Very little information is available about his role in Ashley’s upbringing, as he was not present during most of her childhood. Because of this, Ashley and her siblings were primarily raised by their mother, Shanon Biles, until they entered foster care. The absence of her father in her early life played a part in the family’s instability and left Ashley with the responsibility of helping care for her younger siblings at a young age.
Ashley Biles Thomas Mother
Ashley’s mother, Shanon Biles, is known for her long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, which deeply affected her children’s early lives. During Ashley’s childhood in Columbus, Ohio, Shanon faced serious challenges that made it hard to provide a stable home. Eventually, her struggles led child services to remove Ashley and her siblings from her care and place them in foster homes. Despite these hardships, Ashley has expressed moments of understanding and compassion toward her mother, recognizing the difficulties Shanon faced. Their relationship has been shaped by pain, distance, and the lasting effects of addiction, yet it remains an important part of Ashley’s life story.
Ashley Biles Thomas Relationship with Simone Biles
Ashley and Simone Biles have lived very different lives in different states, which has naturally affected their relationship. They are not often seen together publicly and rarely share moments on social media. However, Ashley has shown support for her younger sister. In April 2021, she posted a photo of Simone on Facebook, calling her “fire” and the real G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). Simone has also spoken warmly about Ashley in her 2016 book Courage to Soar, remembering how Ashley cared for her and Adria when they were little—getting them dressed, comforting them, and helping them sleep. These memories show that despite distance and differences, there is still love and respect between them. Their relationship reflects how separate upbringings can create emotional space, yet family bonds remain in the background.
Ashley Biles Thomas Life Today
Today, Ashley Biles Thomas lives in Columbus, Ohio. Not much is known about her job or how she supports her family, as she prefers to keep her life private. She stays away from media attention and lives quietly with her children. Her social media presence is limited, and most of her accounts are private or inactive. Unlike her sister, whose life is filled with public events and fame, Ashley’s days revolve around family and daily responsibilities. Her story is a reminder that success and worth are not always defined by fame. Even though she lives outside the spotlight, her resilience and love for her children continue to shape her journey.
Public Perception and Media Coverage
Ashley Biles Thomas is often mentioned only as “Simone Biles’ sister,” and her personal story is rarely told in depth. The media tends to focus on her legal troubles or compare her to her successful sibling, without understanding the emotional struggles behind her journey. This narrow view overlooks her humanity and the complexity of her life experiences. Ashley’s story deserves empathy and a balanced perspective. She is more than her mistakes—she is a woman who faced hardship, made difficult choices, and continues to move forward. By seeing her as an individual rather than just a family connection, people can better appreciate the realities many families face behind the headlines.
Understanding Ashley Biles Thomas Journey
Ashley’s life highlights the effects of early trauma, foster care, and family separation. Growing up in an unstable home and being separated from her siblings created emotional wounds that influenced her later choices. Her experiences show how cycles of struggle can continue when support systems are limited. Still, Ashley’s ability to endure hardship and care for her children demonstrates strength and survival. Her story is not one of failure but of persistence. It reminds us that resilience takes many forms and that recovery from pain is an ongoing process. Despite her challenges, Ashley stands as an example of someone who keeps trying to build a better life.
Final Thoughts
Ashley Biles Thomas and Simone Biles share the same beginnings but followed very different life paths. One sister became a global champion, while the other faced personal and legal struggles far from the spotlight. Both, however, came from a place of hardship and overcame the difficulties of their early years in their own ways. Ashley’s story teaches compassion and understanding, showing that every family has layers unseen by the public. Her journey may not be filled with fame, but it carries lessons of endurance, love, and human complexity. Recognizing both sisters’ stories helps us understand that strength appears in many forms—and that every life, no matter how quiet, has value and meaning.
(FAQs) About Ashley Biles Thomas
1. Who is Ashley Biles Thomas?
Ashley Biles Thomas is the older sister of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, and had a difficult childhood marked by family struggles and foster care. Unlike her famous sister, Ashley has lived a private life, focusing on raising her children and staying out of the public eye.
2. Why didn’t Ashley grow up with Simone Biles?
When the Biles siblings were placed in foster care, they were later separated through adoption. Simone and her sister, Adria, were adopted by their grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, and moved to Texas. Ashley and her brother Tevin stayed in Ohio with their great-aunt Harriet, leading to very different childhood experiences.
3. What legal challenges has Ashley faced?
Ashley has faced several legal issues over the years, including a 2014 drug-related arrest and later convictions related to assault and driving offenses. These challenges were widely reported, often overshadowing her personal struggles and efforts to move forward. Despite these hardships, she has continued trying to rebuild her life and care for her family.
4. Does Ashley have a relationship with Simone Biles today?
Their relationship is not very public, as they live in different states and lead very different lives. However, Ashley has shown support for Simone on social media, praising her accomplishments and calling her “the real G.O.A.T.” This shows that, while distant, mutual respect and love remain between them.
5. What is Ashley Biles Thomas doing now?
Ashley currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she focuses on raising her children and maintaining her privacy. Her current job or profession is not publicly known. She prefers a quiet life away from fame, choosing to focus on her family and personal growth.
