Simone Biles walked into the 2024 Paris Olympics as the most decorated gymnast in history and walked out with four more medals — cementing a legacy that has made her not just the greatest athlete in her sport, but one of the most commercially valuable women in global sports. Her net worth in 2026 is estimated at $25 million, built almost entirely from endorsements rather than competition prize money, making her one of the rare athletes whose brand value far exceeds their sport’s earning potential.
| Full Name | Simone Arianne Biles |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1997 |
| Age | 29 years old (2026) |
| Height | 4’8″ (142 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Artistic Gymnast |
| Net Worth | $25 Million (2026) |
| Spouse | Jonathan Owens (married 2023) |
| Known For | 7 Olympic medals, 30 World Championship medals, GOAT of gymnastics |
Early Life and Education
Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. Her early childhood was difficult — her mother struggled with substance abuse and she and her siblings were placed in foster care. At age six, she moved to Spring, Texas, where her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her and her younger sister Adria. It was her grandfather who gave her his last name, a gesture of belonging that meant everything to a child who had known instability.
Biles discovered gymnastics by accident at age six during a daycare field trip. A coach immediately spotted her natural talent for tumbling and sent a note home encouraging her parents to enroll her formally. By age eight, she was training seriously at Bannon’s Gymnastics in Houston. At 14, she began homeschooling to dedicate herself full-time to gymnastics training under coach Aimee Boorman.
The move paid off spectacularly. By 2013, at age 16, Biles won her first World Championship all-around title — and she has barely stopped winning since.
Olympic Career: An Unprecedented Legacy
Biles made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, where she won four gold medals and one bronze — the most by any gymnast at a single Games in over 50 years. Her performances introduced the world to a different level of gymnastics: she was performing skills so far beyond the field that the sport’s governing body had to name moves after her. To date, four skills in the Code of Points bear her name — the Biles, the Biles II, and moves on beam and floor.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles withdrew from several events citing mental health concerns — a decision that dominated headlines globally and sparked a crucial cultural conversation about athlete wellbeing. Rather than damaging her reputation, her withdrawal earned widespread respect and actually enhanced her brand as a spokesperson for mental health advocacy. She still won a bronze medal on beam before leaving Tokyo.
Her Paris 2024 comeback was triumphant. She won gold on floor exercise, vault, and team — plus silver on beam. The performance, watched by record audiences globally, confirmed she remains the best gymnast on earth at 27 years old. Her career Olympic medal count stands at seven, with a total of 37 Olympic and World Championship medals combined — the most in history.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Despite being the greatest gymnast in history, Biles’ competition earnings have been modest — approximately $147,500 across seven Olympic medals (Olympic athletes aren’t paid by the IOC; the USOC pays bonuses). The real money has always been in endorsements, and Biles has proven extraordinarily marketable.
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athleta Partnership | $3-5M/year | Annual (personal) | Headline sponsor; moved from Nike after values alignment concerns |
| Visa Partnership | $2-4M/year | Annual (personal) | Long-term Olympic sponsor partnership |
| United Airlines | $1-2M/year | Annual (personal) | Brand ambassador for US Olympic Committee partner |
| Other Endorsements | $2-4M/year | Annual (personal) | GK Elite, Uber Eats, SK-II skincare, MasterClass |
| Speaking Fees | $200K+ per event | One-time (personal) | Corporate keynotes, mental health advocacy events |
| Olympic Prize Money (USOC) | $37,500/gold medal | One-time (personal) | Total career Olympic bonuses approx. $147,500 |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | $25 Million (2026) | ||
The Nike to Athleta Switch — A Values-Led Business Decision
In 2021, Biles ended her partnership with Nike and signed with Athleta, a women’s athletic brand owned by Gap Inc. The move was highly symbolic — Athleta’s entire brand identity is built around empowering women and girls, aligning naturally with Biles’ advocacy positions. The deal reportedly included an equity component, giving Biles financial upside beyond a flat endorsement fee.
The switch came at a pivotal moment: Biles was publicly speaking out about the abuse she and hundreds of other gymnasts suffered under team doctor Larry Nassar, and about the systemic failures of USA Gymnastics. A brand partnership that authentically reflected her values — rather than simply the highest bidder — was consistent with the way she was approaching her public identity more broadly.
Mental Health Advocacy and Cultural Impact
Biles’ withdrawal from the Tokyo team final in 2021 transformed the cultural conversation around athlete mental health. Her explanation — that she had a case of the “twisties,” a dangerous disorientation gymnasts can experience in the air — was a reminder that elite athletes face unique psychological challenges invisible to spectators. Her willingness to prioritize her wellbeing over Olympic glory normalized mental health conversations in sport in a way no athlete had previously achieved at such a public level.
She is a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, having publicly testified before Congress about the FBI’s failures in the Nassar case. This activism, combined with her athletic dominance, has made her one of the most respected figures in American public life — a status that enhances her commercial value and speaking circuit income significantly.
Personal Life and Relationships
Biles married NFL safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023 in a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, following a courthouse ceremony in Houston in February of the same year. Owens plays for the Chicago Bears and was initially unknown to many of Biles’ fans — a dynamic that sparked lighthearted debate online about who is the more accomplished partner.
She lives in Spring, Texas, close to the home she grew up in with her grandparents. She has spoken about her love for her rescue dogs and maintains a relatively private personal life outside of competition and advocacy work. Her close relationship with her grandparents — who raised her and supported her career — has been a recurring theme in interviews.
Awards and Recognition
Biles has been named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year twice (2016 and 2024). She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022 — the nation’s highest civilian honor. TIME magazine has named her among the 100 most influential people in the world multiple times. She has also received honorary doctorates and been the subject of two Netflix documentaries — Simone Biles Rising (2024) — that captured her Paris comeback in real time.
Little-Known Facts
- Biles has four gymnastics skills named after her in the Code of Points — more than any active gymnast in history.
- She was the first Black woman to win the all-around title at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
- Her bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 came while she was struggling with the “twisties” — making it arguably her most mentally courageous performance.
- She testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee about the FBI’s mishandling of the Nassar investigation.
- She once appeared on an episode of the TV show “Dancing With the Stars” and scored the lowest marks of any celebrity that season — proving even GOATs have off-sports days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simone Biles
What is Simone Biles’ net worth in 2026?
Simone Biles’ net worth in 2026 is estimated at $25 million, making her the richest gymnast in history. Her wealth comes almost entirely from endorsement deals — including Athleta, Visa, United Airlines, GK Elite, Uber Eats, and MasterClass — rather than competition prize money, which is minimal in gymnastics.
How many Olympic medals does Simone Biles have?
Simone Biles has seven Olympic medals: four gold and one bronze from Rio 2016, plus three gold and one silver from Paris 2024. She skipped the Tokyo all-around and team finals due to mental health concerns, winning one bronze on beam. Combined with her World Championship medals, her total stands at 37 — the most in history for any gymnast.
Why did Simone Biles leave Nike for Athleta?
Biles switched from Nike to Athleta in 2021 citing values alignment. Athleta’s mission centers on empowering women and girls, which connected more authentically with her advocacy work around mental health and sexual abuse survivor support. The deal reportedly included an equity component beyond standard endorsement fees.
Is Simone Biles still competing in 2026?
As of 2026, Simone Biles has not announced retirement but has not competed at major international events since her Paris 2024 triumph. Her focus has shifted toward advocacy, media appearances, speaking engagements, and enjoying life with husband Jonathan Owens. Whether she pursues a third Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games remains an open question.
Who is Simone Biles married to?
Simone Biles married Jonathan Owens, an NFL safety who plays for the Chicago Bears, in February 2023 (courthouse ceremony) and April 2023 (celebration ceremony in Mexico). The couple began dating in 2020 and became engaged in February 2022. Owens has been a visible supporter throughout Biles’ Paris 2024 comeback.
How much does Simone Biles earn from endorsements?
Biles earns an estimated $8-15 million annually from endorsements at peak periods, primarily from her headline deal with Athleta, plus partnerships with Visa, United Airlines, GK Elite, Uber Eats, SK-II skincare, and MasterClass. Her value spiked after the Paris 2024 comeback, which attracted record viewership.