I see more in Ashley Biles Thomas than Simone Biles’ older sister. Foster care, familial separation, personal challenges, and tenacity are evident throughout her life. Ashley has kept a low profile, unlike Simone, who has made headlines worldwide.
Her narrative is intertwined with her brothers’ childhood. It also shows that children from the same home can have very diverse lives depending on their opportunities, stability, and support.
Who Is Ashley Biles Thomas
Ashley Biles Thomas, sometimes known as Ashley Biles-Thomas, was born around 1990 in Columbus, Ohio. Some public records list her birth date as February 15, 1990, making her approximately seven years older than her younger sister, Simone Biles, who was born on March 14, 1997.
Ashley is one of four biological children born to Shanon Biles, whose struggles with substance addiction dramatically shaped the family’s early years. Although Ashley became publicly recognized because of Simone’s extraordinary athletic career, she has maintained a relatively private life in Ohio.
Unlike her famous sister, Ashley has rarely sought media attention. Her public appearances mostly come through occasional social media posts supporting her family or discussing personal milestones.
A Childhood Shaped by Foster Care
One of the defining chapters of Ashley’s life began during childhood when she and her siblings entered foster care.
Because their biological mother struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, the children could no longer remain safely in her care. Around the late 1990s and early 2000s, the siblings were removed from their home and spent time in the foster care system.
I find this period especially important because it became the crossroads that changed every sibling’s future.
Their maternal grandparents, Ron Biles and Nellie Biles, stepped forward to help.
However, the family ultimately followed two different paths.
| Child | Raised By | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley Biles Thomas | Great aunt Harriet Thomas | Ohio |
| Tevin Biles-Thomas | Great aunt Harriet Thomas | Ohio |
| Simone Biles | Ron and Nellie Biles | Texas |
| Adria Biles | Ron and Nellie Biles | Texas |
In 2003, Ron and Nellie formally adopted Simone and Adria. Ashley and her older brother Tevin were adopted by Harriet Thomas, Ron’s sister, and remained in Ohio.
That separation became one of the defining moments in the family’s history.
Ashley’s Relationship With Simone Biles
Although the sisters were raised apart, Ashley has spoken warmly about Simone over the years.
Before the siblings entered foster care, Ashley often acted like a second mother to Simone. She reportedly helped her younger sister get dressed, played games with her, and assisted with bedtime routines.
Those early memories remained meaningful despite the physical distance that followed.
As adults, Ashley and Simone appear to live largely separate lives. Simone has often spoken publicly about her close relationship with her younger sister Adria, while Ashley has maintained a quieter presence.
Still, Ashley has celebrated Simone’s accomplishments on social media, proudly referring to her as the G.O.A.T., showing admiration rather than rivalry.
The Rest of the Biles Family
Understanding Ashley’s story also means understanding the people connected to her.
Shanon Biles
Shanon Biles is the biological mother of Ashley, Tevin, Simone, and Adria.
Her long struggle with addiction led to the children’s placement in foster care. In later years, she has publicly expressed regret and a desire to rebuild relationships with her children, although those relationships remain complicated.
Ron and Nellie Biles
Ron Biles, a retired Air Force veteran and former air traffic controller, together with his wife Nellie, became the foundation that helped reshape the futures of Simone and Adria.
Their structured home in Spring, Texas, provided consistency, education, discipline, and emotional support.
Nellie also brought Belizean heritage into the family, adding another layer to the family’s identity.
Harriet Thomas
Harriet Thomas became the adoptive mother of Ashley and Tevin.
She raised both children in Ohio after they left foster care and remained a central figure in their lives until her passing in 2017.
Although she stayed away from public attention, her role was deeply significant.
Tevin Biles-Thomas
Ashley shares perhaps her closest public connection with her older brother, Tevin.
The two grew up together after their adoption by Harriet.
Tevin faced major legal challenges after being charged in 2019 in connection with a 2018 triple homicide. He was acquitted in 2021 because prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence for conviction.
Ashley publicly defended her brother and emphasized the importance of family strength during that difficult period.
Adria Biles
Adria grew up alongside Simone in Texas after their adoption.
She developed interests in gymnastics, dance, and later pursued dental hygiene. Simone and Adria continue to share a visibly close sibling bond.
Ashley’s Personal Life
Ashley has generally preferred privacy.
She has lived in Ohio, with public references connecting her to cities including Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus.
She is also a mother. Public information about her children is inconsistent, with reports mentioning one daughter while other accounts reference multiple children.
In 2020, Ashley shared emotional posts honoring the late father of her children.
Those messages revealed a deeply personal side of her life that rarely appears in public discussion.
Career and Professional Life
Compared with Simone’s international fame, Ashley’s career has remained ordinary and grounded.
Publicly available information indicates she has worked as a warehouse associate for Gap Inc. in the Akron area.
Little additional information has been released about her professional ambitions or financial status.
Rather than pursuing celebrity, Ashley appears to have focused on supporting her family and maintaining a private lifestyle.
Legal Challenges
Ashley has experienced several legal issues throughout adulthood.
A brief timeline highlights those events.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2014 to 2015 | Drug related charges involving oxycodone and oxymorphone resulting in guilty plea, probation, and brief jail time |
| 2019 | Assault charge leading to probation |
| 2021 | Arrest involving DUI, suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, and probation violation |
| 2022 | Publicly shared news of her release from jail |
These incidents became part of Ashley’s public record and reflected personal struggles that unfolded long after her childhood experiences.
How Foster Care Shaped the Family
I see foster care as the trunk of the Biles family’s story, whose branches expanded in diverse directions.
The siblings entered care together but separated.
Research repeatedly reveals that sibling separation increases emotional stress, identity disruption, and lifelong support system weakness.
Ashley and Tevin were raised together in Ohio.
Simone and Adria lived in Texas under another.
Unlike non-relative foster care, both placements had caring relatives, providing stability. However, settings, opportunities, and experiences varied greatly.
Simone often says her adoption gave her a second opportunity.
Ashley has rarely spoken those years, but her life shows how childhood adversity can hinder adulthood.
Living Outside the Spotlight
Ashley, unlike many relatives of great athletes, has never capitalized on her sister’s fame.
Her social media use is restricted.
Ashley receives the most media attention with Simone’s career successes and family announcements.
Many aspects of her life are unknown due to her low profile, strengthening her privacy choice.
Ashley sometimes posts about her family and their strength, despite her privacy.
FAQ
Who is Ashley Biles Thomas?
Ashley Biles Thomas is the older biological sister of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. She was born around 1990 in Columbus, Ohio and spent much of her life living in Ohio after being adopted by her great aunt Harriet Thomas.
How is Ashley related to Simone Biles?
Ashley and Simone are biological sisters. They share the same biological mother, Shanon Biles, but were raised in different households after entering foster care.
Why were the Biles siblings separated?
After entering foster care because of their mother’s addiction struggles, Ashley and Tevin were adopted by their great aunt Harriet Thomas in Ohio, while Simone and Adria were adopted by their grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles in Texas.
Did Ashley help care for Simone when they were young?
Yes. Simone has shared memories of Ashley acting in a nurturing role during early childhood by helping with daily routines, playing with her, and assisting at bedtime.
Where does Ashley Biles Thomas live?
Public information places Ashley in Ohio, with connections to the Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus areas over the years.
What does Ashley Biles Thomas do for work?
Public records indicate she has worked as a warehouse associate in the Akron area. She has not pursued a high profile public career.
Has Ashley faced legal problems?
Yes. Ashley has experienced several legal issues, including drug related charges, an assault conviction, and a DUI related case between 2014 and 2022.
Is Ashley close to Simone Biles today?
The sisters appear to have separate lives, but Ashley has publicly praised Simone’s achievements and expressed pride in her accomplishments.
Who raised Ashley after foster care?
Ashley was adopted and raised by her great aunt Harriet Thomas in Ohio after leaving foster care. Harriet remained an important figure in her life until her death in 2017.
What makes Ashley Biles Thomas’s story significant?
Ashley represents another side of the Biles family story. While Simone became one of the world’s greatest gymnasts, Ashley’s journey reflects the lasting effects of foster care, family separation, personal hardship, and resilience. Together, the siblings’ experiences illustrate how different environments can shape very different futures, even within the same family.
