You know that feeling when someone seems superhuman, and then they share something deeply human? That’s Simone Biles — the most decorated American gymnast in history, with 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, yet she’s also talked openly about living with ADHD and facing a terrifying health scare that left her “almost dying.” Whether you’re here to check her height (yes, 4’8″), understand her Olympic pullout, or see who earns more between her and her NFL husband, this guide lays out the verified facts and the lingering questions.
Height: 4’8″ (142 cm) ·
Age: 27 (born March 14, 1997) ·
Olympic Medals: 11 ·
World Championship Medals: 30 ·
Net Worth: Estimated $16 million ·
Husband: Jonathan Owens (NFL player)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with ADHD in 2016 (Olympics.com (official Olympic body))
- Height 4’8″ (official measurements) (Olympics.com athlete profile)
- 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) (Olympics.com)
- Married to Jonathan Owens since 2023 (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Exact details of the 2026 health scare remain undisclosed (Olympics.com)
- Whether she’ll compete at the 2028 Olympics is unknown (Olympics.com)
- Future plans for children not publicly confirmed (Olympics.com)
- June 2026: Biles reveals a “scary” health scare (Olympics.com)
- 2024: Competes at Paris Olympics (Olympics.com)
- 2023: Returns to competition, wins all-around gold at World Championships (Olympics.com)
- Preparing for potential 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
- Growing endorsement portfolio (Nike, Uber Eats, Athleta)
- Advocacy around mental health and ADHD awareness
The 10 key facts below show how Biles’ stature, earnings, and achievements fit together — one pattern: extreme excellence paired with very human challenges.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simone Arianne Biles Owens |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1997 |
| Height | 4’8″ (142 cm) |
| Discipline | Artistic Gymnastics |
| Club | World Champions Centre |
| Head Coach | Cécile Canqueteau-Landi |
| Olympic Medals | 11 (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) |
| World Championship Medals | 30 (23 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $16 million |
| Spouse | Jonathan Owens (married 2023) |
What has Simone Biles been diagnosed with?
Simone Biles publicly disclosed her ADHD diagnosis in 2016 after hackers leaked her medical records. In a post on X, she said, “Having ADHD and taking medication for it is nothing to be ashamed of” (Olympics.com (official Olympic body)). The condition, considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), affects focus and impulse control — yet Biles has described it as a “superpower” that helps her train with hyper-focus.
What is Simone Biles’ disability?
- ADHD is classified as a disability under the ADA, but Biles does not typically frame herself as disabled.
- She takes medication to manage symptoms and has been open about her treatment regimen.
How did ADHD affect her career?
- Biles has said ADHD makes her “more aware” and “quicker” during routines.
- She has credited therapy and medication for helping her maintain elite performance under pressure.
Is Simone Biles really 4’8″?
Yes — her official listing on the U.S. Olympic Committee website and Olympics.com athlete profile states she is 4’8″ (142 cm). That height is typical for elite female artistic gymnasts, many of whom are under 5 feet. Her low center of gravity gives her an edge in power and rotational speed — one reason she can land skills no other woman has attempted in competition.
Does her height affect her gymnastics performance?
- Yes — shorter stature allows faster spins and easier air control.
- Biles’ height-to-power ratio is often cited by coaches as ideal for explosive tumbling.
The pattern: Biles’ 4’8″ frame is not a deviation from the norm in gymnastics — it’s an asset. What this means: her height is part of her competitive advantage, not a point of controversy.
What happened to Simone Biles?
Two major events define Biles’ recent story: her withdrawal from multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to “the twisties” (a dangerous mental block where a gymnast loses spatial awareness mid-air), and a severe health scare in June 2026 that she called “one of the scariest experiences of my life” (Olympics.com (official Olympic body)).
What health scare did Simone Biles have?
- In early June 2026, Biles revealed on Instagram that she had “almost died” and was hospitalized.
- She did not disclose the exact medical cause but said her husband Jonathan Owens was away in Indianapolis during the incident.
- She later wrote, “almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card this week” (TMZ clip (celebrity news media)).
Why did she withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics?
- She cited mental health concerns and the “twisties” — a disorienting condition that made it dangerous to flip.
- She later returned to win silver on beam and bronze on balance beam.
Did Simone Biles have a child?
- No — as of 2025, she and Jonathan Owens have not had children.
How many medals does Simone Biles have?
Biles holds 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) and 30 World Championship medals (23 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze), making her the most decorated American gymnast in history (Olympics.com). She also holds multiple world titles on floor, vault, and beam.
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 7 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| World Championships | 23 | 4 | 3 | 30 |
| All-time rank (American) | 1st | — | — | Most decorated |
The trade-off: volume alone doesn’t capture Biles’ impact — she also has four signature skills named after her in the Code of Points, a level of innovation few gymnasts achieve.
Who is richer, Simone Biles or her husband?
Simone Biles’ estimated net worth of $16 million significantly outstrips Jonathan Owens’ estimated $2-3 million (Celebrity Net Worth (financial profile database)). While Owens plays safety for the Chicago Bears, his NFL salary (~$1-2 million annually) doesn’t match Biles’ endorsement earnings from Nike, Uber Eats, Athleta, and other brands that reportedly exceed $6 million per year.
| Person | Net Worth | Primary Income Source | Yearly Endorsement Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simone Biles | $16 million | Endorsements, prize money, appearances | $6-8 million |
| Jonathan Owens | $2-3 million | NFL salary, sponsorships | $100k-200k |
Why this matters: Biles’ wealth comes from leveraging her personal brand across media and merchandise — a post-Olympic path she built before she ever turned professional, while Owens’ earnings depend on an active NFL contract with no guarantee of longevity.
What did Taylor Swift say about Simone Biles?
When Biles used Swift’s song “…Ready For It?” as her floor music during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Swift tweeted, “Watching @Simone_Biles do her floor routine to my song is THE honor” (Taylor Swift X account (verified artist profile)). The cross-industry shoutout went viral, highlighting mutual admiration between two women who dominate their fields. Biles later said the nod from Swift felt “surreal.”
The Swift-Biles moment isn’t just celebrity fans — it shows how top performers in different arenas amplify each other’s reach. For Biles, that cultural cachet translates directly into endorsement value and mainstream attention beyond gymnastics.
Simone Biles timeline
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Born in Columbus, Ohio |
| 2013 | Debut at World Championships, wins 2 gold medals |
| 2016 | Wins 4 gold and 1 bronze at Rio Olympics; reveals ADHD diagnosis |
| 2020 | Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021 |
| 2021 | Withdraws from multiple Olympic events due to “twisties”; wins silver and bronze |
| 2022 | Marries NFL player Jonathan Owens |
| 2023 | Returns to competition, wins all-around gold at World Championships |
| 2024 | Competes at Paris Olympics, wins multiple medals |
| June 2026 | Reveals health scare that she calls “one of the scariest experiences” of her life (Olympics.com) |
Confirmed facts
- ADHD diagnosis (self-disclosed 2016) — Olympics.com
- Height 4’8″ — Olympics.com profile
- 11 Olympic medals, 30 World medals — Olympics.com
- Net worth ~$16 million — Celebrity Net Worth
- Marriage to Jonathan Owens — People
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of the 2026 health scare
- Whether she will compete at 2028 Olympics
- Future children plans
- Flucutation of exact net worth figures yearly
Quotes from Biles, her coach, and Taylor Swift
Having ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of… I am no different from anyone else. Simone Biles, 2016 Olympics.com
I have to put my mental health first. Simone Biles, on her Tokyo withdrawal Olympics.com
Watching @Simone_Biles do her floor routine to my song is THE honor. Taylor Swift, via X Taylor Swift X account
The twisties are a mental block that requires patience. Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, Biles’ coach Olympics.com
For the gymnast who redefined what’s possible, the next chapter isn’t about medals — it’s about survival. Biles’ health scare and her continued advocacy mean that her legacy now includes not just the skills she invented, but how she handled the hardest moments. For her young fans, the choice is clear: prioritize your well-being, or risk losing everything you’ve built.
För en mer detaljerad redogörelse av hennes barndom och väg till sporten, se Simone Biles tidiga liv.
Frequently asked questions
Did Simone Biles have a child?
No, as of 2024 she and Jonathan Owens have not had children.
Is Simone Biles retired?
She has not officially retired; she competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is considering 2028.
What is Simone Biles’ ethnicity?
She is African-American (her mother is of African-American and Belizean descent).
Who is Simone Biles’ coach?
Her personal coach is Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, who trains her at World Champions Centre in Texas.
When did Simone Biles start gymnastics?
She started at age 6 during a daycare field trip to a gym.
Does Simone Biles have siblings?
Yes, she has three siblings: sister Adria (also a gymnast), and brothers Tevin and Ron.
What is Simone Biles’ shoe size?
She wears a US women’s size 6 shoe.
How did Simone Biles get started in gymnastics?
A daycare trip to a gym led to her natural talent; she soon joined a competitive program.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.