Ashley Biles Thomas, also known as Ashley Biles-Thomas, is the eldest biological sister of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. The sisters spent their early childhood together in Columbus, Ohio, before entering foster care and eventually being adopted by different relatives.
Ashley and their brother Tevin were raised in Cleveland, Ohio, by their great-aunt, Harriet. Simone and their younger sister Adria grew up in Texas with their maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his wife, Nellie.
Although Ashley has largely remained outside the public spotlight, her family background, occasional public comments, and documented legal cases have attracted media attention.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ashley Biles Thomas, also written as Ashley Biles-Thomas |
| Mother | Shanon Biles |
| Biological siblings | Tevin, Simone, and Adria |
| Birth order | Eldest of four biological siblings |
| Birthplace | Columbus, Ohio |
| Childhood home | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Adoptive guardian | Harriet, her great-aunt |
| Known for | Being Simone Biles’ older biological sister |
Ashley Biles Thomas Is the Eldest of Four Siblings
Ashley is the eldest child of Shanon Biles. Her younger biological siblings are Tevin Biles-Thomas, Simone Biles, and Adria Biles.
In her memoir, Courage to Soar, Simone recalled that Ashley had just turned seven when Simone was born on March 14, 1997. This places Ashley’s birth around early 1990.
The four children spent their earliest years in Columbus, Ohio. Their mother struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, making it difficult for her to provide consistent care.
Simone has spoken publicly about the family’s difficult circumstances, including periods when the children experienced hunger and instability at home.
Child-welfare authorities eventually intervened, and the siblings entered foster care. Initially, the four children remained together, sharing an experience that would later become an important part of Simone’s account of her childhood.
Their circumstances changed when relatives arranged permanent homes for them.
Why Ashley and Simone Biles Grew Up Separately
Ashley and Simone were raised in different households because their relatives adopted the four siblings in two groups.
Their great-aunt Harriet, the sister of Ronald Biles, adopted Ashley and Tevin. They remained in Cleveland, Ohio.
Simone and Adria were adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his wife, Nellie. The adoption was finalized in 2003, and the two younger sisters grew up in Spring, Texas, near Houston.
The arrangement meant that Ashley continued her childhood alongside Tevin, while Simone and Adria became part of Ronald and Nellie’s household.
According to reporting based on Simone’s memoir, Ashley and Tevin had wanted to remain in Ohio rather than relocate to Texas.
Their different placements explain why the sisters did not share the same upbringing after foster care. However, living apart does not necessarily mean they lost contact or became estranged.
What Is Known About Ashley and Simone’s Relationship?
Ashley and Simone’s relationship has received relatively little public attention compared with Simone’s close connection to Adria, with whom she grew up.
One public indication of Ashley’s support appeared in April 2021. A Facebook post reported by Heavy showed Ashley sharing a photograph of Simone and describing her younger sister as the “real G.O.A.T.”
The message expressed admiration for Simone’s achievements, although it did not reveal how frequently the sisters communicated or spent time together.
Ashley also reportedly commented publicly about the family’s experiences after their brother Tevin was acquitted of criminal charges in June 2021.
Her statement emphasized that the family had endured difficult circumstances and remained strong. She also acknowledged Simone’s success in overcoming the challenges of their childhood.
These comments provide some insight into Ashley’s public expressions of family support. They do not establish the full nature of the sisters’ adult relationship.
Neither sister has provided a detailed, recent public account of how their relationship has developed.
Ashley Biles Thomas’s Documented Legal Cases
Ashley has also appeared in news reports concerning criminal cases in Ohio. These incidents occurred during different periods of her adult life, and the distinction between convictions and allegations is important.
In June 2014, Ashley was involved in a traffic stop in Delaware County, Ohio, that led to drug-related charges.
Court documents described in subsequent reporting showed that she pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking in 2015. Her sentence included 90 days in jail and four years of community control.
A separate case arose from an incident in Franklin County in April 2019.
Ashley pleaded guilty to assault on June 25, 2019. The court imposed a suspended jail sentence and placed her on probation for two years. Another charge connected with the incident was dismissed.
In July 2021, Ashley was arrested again following an alleged traffic-related incident. The accusations included operating a vehicle while impaired, driving under suspension, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Contemporary reporting identified those charges, but it did not establish the final disposition of every count. The allegations should therefore not be described as convictions without a confirmed court outcome.
These cases attracted attention partly because of Ashley’s connection to Simone Biles, but they represent specific legal events rather than a complete account of her adult life.
Ashley Biles Thomas’s Life Outside Public Attention
Unlike Simone, Ashley has not pursued a widely documented public career.
Her name appears primarily in reporting about the Biles family’s upbringing and in coverage of her legal cases.
Her professional activities and education have not been established through a dependable public biography.
Some media coverage has also discussed Ashley’s family life, including a 2016 report that she had a daughter. However, details about her children and household have not been extensively documented in reliable public reporting.
Ashley has generally maintained a much lower public profile than her younger sister.
The clearest account of her background comes from the family’s documented childhood experiences: growing up in Columbus, entering foster care with her siblings, and later being adopted by Harriet in Cleveland.
Her occasional public comments suggest an interest in her siblings’ experiences and achievements, but they provide only a partial picture of her life.
Ashley Biles Thomas is best known as Simone Biles’ eldest biological sister, yet their different childhood placements are an important part of understanding their family history. Although the sisters grew up in separate states, they share the same early experiences of foster care and the family circumstances that led to their adoption by relatives.
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