Simone Biles Biography: The Truth About Her Health, ADHD, and Mother
No, Simone Biles does not have diabetes. While she starred in a 2024 commercial for the diabetes medication Mounjaro, it is her adoptive mother, Nellie Biles, who lives with type 2 diabetes.
| Does Simone Biles have diabetes? | No (her adoptive mother Nellie has type 2 diabetes) |
| ADHD Diagnosis | Diagnosed in childhood (prescribed Ritalin) |
| Adoptive Parents | Ronald and Nellie Biles (adopted in 2003) |
| Biological Parents | Shanon Biles and Kelvin Clemons |
| Age | 29 years old (as of 2026) |
| Height | 142 cm |
Simone Biles is widely celebrated as one of the greatest artistic gymnasts in history, boasting an extraordinary record of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. As of 2026, the 29-year-old athlete continues to inspire millions globally. However, public interest often extends beyond her athletic achievements to her personal health and family life. A common question among fans is whether Simone Biles has diabetes. The short answer is no; the gymnast does not have type 2 diabetes. The confusion stems from a 2024 Eli Lilly advertising campaign for the type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro, in which Simone starred alongside her adoptive mother, Nellie Biles. While Nellie actually lives with type 2 diabetes, neither she nor Simone takes the Mounjaro medication, despite their participation in the promotional campaign.
Beyond the diabetes rumors, Biles has been highly transparent about other aspects of her health, particularly her childhood diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To manage the condition, she was prescribed Ritalin (methylphenidate) at a young age. This private medical information became public in 2016 when hackers breached the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) database and leaked her records. Rather than hiding, Biles immediately addressed the leak on social media. She proudly stated that having ADHD and taking medication for it is nothing to be ashamed of. Biles emphasized her lifelong commitment to clean sport, operating under a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) that fully authorized her medication use.
The foundation of Biles' resilience lies in her early childhood and family structure. Born on March 14, 1997, Simone and her three siblings were placed in foster care when she was just three years old due to their biological mother Shanon Biles' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Her biological father, Kelvin Clemons, also battled addiction and remained absent from her life. The trajectory of Simone's life changed at age six when she and her younger sister, Adria, were legally adopted by their maternal grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, in Houston, Texas. Ronald and Nellie provided the stable, loving environment that allowed Simone to thrive both personally and professionally, eventually leading to her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.
The relationship between Simone and her biological mother, Shanon Biles, has remained a topic of public discussion. In August 2024, Shanon publicly expressed her deep desire to reconcile and ask for forgiveness from both Simone and Adria. Shanon noted that she is waiting for her daughters to reach out to her when they are ready. As of 2026, details regarding whether Simone has chosen to initiate contact or reconcile with either Shanon or her biological father, Kelvin Clemons, remain unknown. Despite these complex family dynamics, Simone has consistently credited Ronald and Nellie as her true parents who supported her rise to gymnastics stardom.
