What Happened to Simone Arianne Biles Owens?
Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast, renowned for her groundbreaking skills and advocacy for mental health. After a highly successful career including multiple Olympic and World Championship titles, she married NFL player Jonathan Owens in 2023, continued her athletic dominance through the 2024 Paris Olympics, and has recently focused on personal well-being and advocacy following a health scare and medical procedure in July 2026.
Quick Answer
Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast, continues to be a prominent figure in sports and mental health advocacy. After securing more Olympic gold medals at the 2024 Paris Games, she has been navigating a period of personal focus, including her marriage to Jonathan Owens and managing recent health challenges. As of July 2026, Biles underwent a medical procedure following a severe health scare in June, while also preparing to headline a major fitness festival to promote mental well-being.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Simone Arianne Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, and later adopted by her maternal grandparents.
Began Gymnastics
At the age of six, Biles was introduced to gymnastics during a daycare field trip and quickly showed natural talent.
First World Championship Golds
Biles made her international debut and won her first two World Championship gold medals in the all-around and floor exercise in Antwerp, Belgium.
Record 10th World Championship Gold
Biles earned her 10th career gold medal at the World Championships, becoming the first woman to win three consecutive U.S. all-around titles.
Rio Olympic Dominance
At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Biles won four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, floor exercise) and a bronze medal (balance beam).
Autobiography Release
Biles released her bestselling autobiography, 'Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance,' during a break from gymnastics.
Met Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles met NFL player Jonathan Owens through the celebrity dating app Raya.
Tokyo Olympics Mental Health Stand
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles withdrew from several events to prioritize her mental health, earning a team silver and balance beam bronze.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
U.S. President Joe Biden honored Simone Biles with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her achievements and advocacy.
Married Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles married Jonathan Owens in a civil ceremony in Houston, followed by a larger destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on May 6, 2023.
Return to World Championships, Historic Wins
Biles returned to the World Championships, winning five medals (four golds), including her record-setting sixth all-around title and a historic team gold.
Paris Olympics Success
Biles competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning two gold medals in the team and individual all-around events.
Severe Health Scare
Biles experienced a severe health scare, describing it as a 'near-death experience' that led to hospitalization and bed rest.
Headlining Faces of Fitness Chicago
It was announced that Biles would headline the Faces of Fitness Chicago 2026 festival on July 26, leading a mental health-focused immersive experience.
Attended ESPY Awards
Biles attended the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City, making a public appearance after her recent health scare.
Underwent Medical Procedure
Biles shared on Instagram that she underwent a medical procedure, following her health scare in June, promising more details later.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Simone Biles, born March 14, 1997, rose to global prominence as an American artistic gymnast, widely considered the greatest of all time. Her career is marked by unparalleled athletic achievements, including a record-breaking 30 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. Biles first captured international attention at the 2013 World Championships, where she won two gold medals, including the all-around title. She continued to dominate, becoming the first woman since 1992 to win three consecutive U.S. all-around titles by 2015.
A pivotal moment in her career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she earned four gold medals (team, all-around, vault, floor exercise) and one bronze (balance beam), solidifying her status as a gymnastics superstar. Following a brief hiatus, during which she released her autobiography 'Courage to Soar' in 2017, Biles returned to competition in 2018, continuing to break records and becoming the most decorated female gymnast in World Championships history. Her journey took a significant turn at the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) Olympics when she withdrew from several events to prioritize her mental health, bringing global attention to the pressures faced by elite athletes. Despite this, she still earned a silver medal with the team and a bronze on the balance beam.
In her personal life, Biles met NFL player Jonathan Owens in August 2020, and the couple married in April and May 2023. She made a triumphant return to elite competition at the 2023 World Championships, where she added five more medals, including four golds, bringing her total World Championship count to 30 and her all-around titles to six. Biles continued her Olympic success at the 2024 Paris Games, where she secured two more gold medals in the team and individual all-around events.
As of 2026, Biles has been balancing her athletic legacy with personal well-being and advocacy. In June 2026, she experienced a severe health scare, describing it as a "near-death experience" that led to hospitalization and bed rest. Despite this, she made public appearances, including attending the ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026. On July 22, 2026, Biles underwent a medical procedure, sharing the update with her fans and promising to disclose more details about her health scare later. She is also slated to headline the Faces of Fitness Chicago festival on July 26, 2026, with a mental health-focused experience, underscoring her continued commitment to mental wellness advocacy. While her future competitive gymnastics career, particularly regarding the 2028 Olympics, remains uncertain, Biles continues to inspire through her resilience, advocacy, and dedication to a balanced life.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Simone Arianne Biles Owens made different choices?