“I just remember, like, us as kids being so hungry and then I just remember this cat that would get fed and not like, quite us,” that’s what Simone Biles, the one synonymous with Olympic greatness, had to endure in foster care before her grandmaternal parents adopted her. She, along with her sister, has experienced a rather tough childhood. And that probably justifies why, even after clinching a combined total of 11 Olympic medals, including four golds from Rio 2016 and three more added in Paris 2024, when asked what she wants her legacy to be, Biles didn’t point to the medals. Neither the gravity-defying skills, nor the titles that span over a decade…

Instead, she goes back to her roots—her childhood in foster care. Biles’ journey began in Columbus, Ohio, where she and her siblings spent time in the foster system before being adopted by Ron and Nellie Biles, who raised her in Texas. Those early struggles shaped her empathy and later inspired her to champion the cause of children who share similar experiences. Now, she wishes she were known by that.

“I hope I’m known for the work in foster care with foster kids, because that is very near and dear to my heart,” Biles explained in an interview.

Her work with Friends of the Children, a US foster care charity, has expanded dramatically during her involvement. “When I started working with them, I think they had four to six chapters in the US and now we have over 30 chapters… helping communities and the foster care community,” she shared, noting the growth as something she considers more impactful than her medals. But why would a gymnast who has redefined her sport measure her legacy this way?

The answer lies in the human side of Biles’ story. “I actually was a foster kid, so I know some of those hardships that those kids go through.” The athlete who once stood small and uncertain in a foster home now stands tall, not only for the routines she perfects but for the voices she amplifies. While the gymnastics world marvels at her resilience on the mat, her quiet determination off it paints a fuller picture.

Ultimately, Simone Biles wants her name etched in history not just in the halls of Olympic fame but in the lives of children who find hope in her advocacy. “I think that’s really special, so hopefully that’s the legacy that I leave,” she said. And in that, she reminds us, what endures most is not the medals but the difference made beyond the spotlight.

Beyond the medals, Simone Biles’ quiet championing of youth

When Simone Biles is sticking her landings, she might also be checking her heart. And that’s not hyperbole, digging into her off-field actions, it’s clear she’s as much a community MVP as she is a gymnastics legend. So, what exactly does she do off the mat, beyond her well-known foster-care advocacy?

For one, she’s been a driving force with Friends of the Children, donating $50,000 at their October 2024 gala and even joining a Zoom call months later to rally and mentor youth directly. “I love Friends of the Children so much because you have mentors … who believe in you.” Then, during National Mentoring Month in January 2025, she raised awareness again, posting, “consistent and caring support of an adult helps children dream big…”

And she hasn’t just supported the mission—she hosted virtual stretch sessions, welcomed kids into her Houston gym, and even co-created a “Heart of Friendship” leotard and turtle toy whose proceeds benefit the charity, plus a PSA aired nationwide on Warner Bros. Discovery to mark their 30th anniversary.

But wait—there’s more.

She teamed up with Make-A-Wish, calling herself “a friend of Make-A-Wish” and actively encouraging fans to join her in granting life-changing wishes to critically ill children.

What’s so compelling here is how she connects: Not with flashy headlines, but with quiet presence—whether stretching with a child over video or lending her voice to a PSA.