“Didn’t Really Have a Lot of Food”- Millionaire Now Simone Biles Couldn’t Even Afford Milk During the Toughest Time of Her Life

Published 05/23/2022, 10:15 AM EDT

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Childhood memories are fun, and most people like to cherish these memories. However, every child is not fortunate to enjoy these privileges. Even celebrities whom people often associate with affluence may have experienced a rough childhood. And the childhood struggle of Simone Biles is one that the athlete has been vocal about since achieving stardom.

Numerous clips feature a young and agile Biles performing various moves on the internet. These videos often portray Simone as a jolly, starry-eyed child. However, the Olympian’s childhood was not the most ideal.

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Biles’ hardships while growing up

The seven-time Olympic medalist opened up several times in previous interviews regarding the hardships she and her siblings faced at a very young age. Back then, the four siblings stayed with their single mother, who herself was fighting her own battle with addiction.

Moreover, the gymnast also admitted to the perpetual food shortage at their house since she could remember.

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Speaking about her experience regarding food scarcity with Sharyn Alfonsi, Biles said, “I remember we didn’t really have a lot of food. We were always hungry. And we went to, like, my Uncle Danny’s house. And they gave us cereal. But we didn’t have any milk, couldn’t afford milk. So we just put water in it.”

via Getty

Biles then added, “And he was like, ‘Look, it’s the same thing.’ And we were like, ‘Nope, it’s not, but okay nice try.’ ”

The children were finally relieved of this dismal state of things when social services found out about her mother’s situation. And social workers decided to place the siblings in foster care. Furthermore, the children were fortunate to be sent to the same foster home.

The subsequent adoption of Simone Biles

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At the time, her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, lived with his wife Nellie outside Houston. Therefore, he was not aware of the situation immediately. However, the couple adopted Biles and her younger sister Adria when they learned about it. While an aunt who lived in Ohio adopted her elder siblings, Ashley and Tevin.

Recalling the events, Ron said, “I got a call from the social worker, said the kids were in foster care. I wasn’t aware that it was that bad. I mean, just the thought of them being in foster care it just sounded so bad, and at that time we had the ability to take care of them. So, ‘Send them to me.’ ”

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WATCH THIS STORY- Simone Biles Shares a Powerful Message for Young Girls in the Latest Athleta Commercial

The story of Biles helps others draw inspiration from it. It goes to show how the fate of people can change from a penurious existence to being wealthy under the right circumstances. One certainly needs to overcome various struggles and hardships, to live a life one dreams of.

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Written by:

Aklanta Chetia

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Aklanta Chetia Wanniang is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. He has a Master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi. With an interest in learning about multiple sports, Aklanta himself is a former sportsperson and has participated in state and national level swimming events.
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Edited by:

Simar Singh Wadhwa