Who Is Ashley Biles Thomas? Simone Biles’ Sister With a Complicated Story

We all know Simone Biles — the superstar gymnast with a heart of gold and medals to match. But did you know she has an older sister named Ashley Biles Thomas?

Ashley’s story is not as famous, but it’s just as real. Her life has been full of ups and downs, some of them hard to imagine. While Simone flew high in the world of sports, Ashley walked a very different path.

In this article, we’re going to explore who Ashley Biles Thomas is, her early life, family background, relationship with Simone, legal troubles, and more. Let’s dive in and learn about the sister most people don’t know much about.

Ashley Biles Thomas Quick Bio

Who Is Ashley Biles Thomas?

Ashley Biles Thomas is the older sister of Simone Biles. She was born in 1990 in Columbus, Ohio, which makes her about seven years older than Simone.

Even though they are siblings, Ashley and Simone have led very different lives. Simone is known all over the world for her gymnastics, while Ashley mostly stays out of the spotlight.

Some people call her a “celebrity sibling,” but Ashley is also a mother and a woman with her own complicated life story. Her journey hasn’t been easy, and that’s what makes it important to talk about.

Childhood and Early Life of Ashley

Ashley was born into a family that faced a lot of problems early on. Her mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Life at home was unstable, and things only got worse with time.

By the time Ashley was just a little girl, her family was already falling apart. She had younger siblings—Simone, Tevin, and Adria—and all of them were caught in a difficult situation. There was no steady support, and their basic needs weren’t always met.

This led to child services stepping in. It’s hard to imagine what it’s like for a child to be taken from home, even when that home isn’t safe. But that’s exactly what happened to Ashley and her siblings.

When Ashley Biles Thomas Went Into Foster Care

In 1999 or 2000, when Ashley was about 9 or 10 years old, someone contacted social services because they were worried about the children’s safety. The state removed all four siblings from their mother’s care and placed them into foster care.

At first, the kids were lucky—they were kept together. But as time went on, things changed. The family had to make some hard choices. Ashley, being the oldest, was more aware of everything happening.

It was a scary and uncertain time. Foster care can be confusing for kids, and Ashley had to take in a lot at a young age. The path her life would take was already beginning to shift.

The Biles Family Was Split

In 2003, a big decision was made. Simone and Adria, the two youngest sisters, were adopted by their grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, who lived in Texas.

But Ashley and her brother Tevin didn’t go with them. Instead, they stayed in Ohio, where they were adopted by Harriet, the children’s great-aunt. This split changed everything.

According to reports, Ashley and Tevin actually chose to stay in Ohio. Maybe they felt closer to the place they called home. But this choice also meant the siblings grew up in different homes, in different states, and with different life paths.

How Close Are Ashley and Simone Biles Today?

That’s a question many people ask. The truth is, we don’t know for sure. There aren’t any public photos of Ashley and Simone together. They don’t tag each other online or talk about each other in interviews.

But in April 2021, Ashley made a rare post on Facebook showing love for her sister. She shared a photo of Simone and wrote, “Ma sister is fire 🔥 she is the real G.O.A.T 🐐.” That short post showed pride and support. Even if they don’t share everything online, that message spoke volumes.

Still, the lack of public connection makes people wonder: Are they still close? Do they talk often? Do they spend time together? The answers are unclear—but the support Ashley showed in that one post meant a lot.

Her Legal Struggles

Unlike her famous sister, Ashley has faced many legal troubles over the years. Her first major arrest happened in 2014, and since then, she has been in and out of court for different reasons.

Her charges have included drug trafficking, assault, driving under the influence (DUI), and violating probation. These aren’t just small mistakes. They’re serious legal issues that affected her life deeply.

Some people might wonder, “How can two sisters grow up in the same family and live such different lives?” It’s a fair question. Life can take people in different directions, especially when the early years are so hard.

The 2021 Arrest

One of Ashley’s most public legal issues happened in July 2021, just weeks before the Tokyo Olympics, where Simone was expected to shine.

Ashley was arrested and charged with multiple crimes:

• DUI (driving under the influence)

• Driving with a suspended license

• Leaving the scene of an accident

• Failure to yield

• Assault

• Probation violation

She was arrested on July 6, 2021, and at that time, she was still in custody. The incident happened on June 4, and a bench warrant had been issued.

This timing was difficult for the whole Biles family. While the world was watching Simone train for Olympic gold, Ashley was dealing with handcuffs, court hearings, and jail time. The contrast couldn’t have been more striking.

Ashley Biles Thomas and the 2015 Drug Case

Before the 2021 arrest, Ashley Biles Thomas had already been in trouble with the law. One of her biggest legal issues happened back in 2014 when she was pulled over during a traffic stop in Delaware County, Ohio.

Police found oxycodone and oxymorphone, which are strong painkillers, in the car. She was charged with drug trafficking and drug possession. This was serious.

In 2015, she pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail, but only spent a few days behind bars. After that, she was placed on four years of probation. This case marked the start of many legal challenges in her life.

The 2019 Assault Case and More Trouble

Just when it looked like things might calm down, Ashley got into more trouble in 2019. This time, it was an assault case.

She was accused of attacking someone in April of that year. A few months later, she pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000. The court gave her probation again instead of more jail time.

That same year, she was also charged with illegal drug paraphernalia possession, but that case was dismissed. Interestingly, her mother, Shanon Biles, helped her post bond in that case.

By this point, it was clear that Ashley’s life had many difficult turns. While her sister Simone was winning gold medals, Ashley was trying to stay out of jail.

Is Ashley Biles Thomas Married or a Mom?

Many people wonder if Ashley is married or has a family of her own. While she’s not married, she is a mother.

Back in 2016, her mother shared that Ashley had a 7-year-old daughter at the time. That would make the child around 14 or 15 years old in 2025.

Ashley doesn’t share much about her daughter or her personal life. She hasn’t said anything about the child’s father either. Still, being a single mom is not easy, especially with everything else she has gone through.

What Does Ashley Biles Thomas Do Today?

Right now, there’s no public record of Ashley having a job or career. She keeps a very low profile, and it’s hard to find details about her daily life.

What we do know is that she still lives in Ohio, most likely in Columbus or Cleveland. She doesn’t post much online and seems to stay away from the spotlight.

Even though she has faced many struggles, Ashley is still part of the Biles family. And that family story is filled with strength, survival, and big differences.

Ashley’s Brother Tevin and More Family Drama

Ashley isn’t the only one in the family who faced legal problems. Her brother Tevin Biles-Thomas was arrested in 2019 for something even more serious.

He was accused of killing three people at a New Year’s Eve party in 2018. This made big news across the country. But in 2021, just like Ashley’s case, the court said there wasn’t enough evidence to prove it. Tevin was found not guilty and was released.

Ashley celebrated the news on Facebook, saying their family had “been through a lot.” She also reminded people not to judge others too quickly.

Final Thoughts

The story of Ashley Biles Thomas is not simple. It’s full of difficult moments, mistakes, and quiet strength. While her sister Simone Biles is known for flying high in gymnastics, Ashley’s journey has been full of challenges on the ground.

Still, they are sisters. They were both shaped by a hard childhood, time in foster care, and a family that had to fight for survival. Their paths may be different, but their roots are the same.

Ashley’s story reminds us that not every family member gets the same spotlight — but every story matters. Even the ones that are messy.

(FAQs)

Does Ashley Biles Thomas have Instagram?

She has a private Instagram account, but she rarely posts. Most of her life stays off social media.

How old is Ashley Biles Thomas, and when was she born?

Ashley was born in 1990, which makes her 35 years old in 2025.

How tall is Ashley Biles Thomas?

Ashley Biles Thomas is about 5 feet 2 inches tall — the same height as her younger sister Simone!

What is Ashley Biles Thomas’ net worth?

Ashley has no known source of income, and her net worth is unknown. She is not involved in public work or celebrity deals.

Has Ashley Biles Thomas ever been in jail?

Yes. Ashley has been arrested multiple times, including charges for drug trafficking, DUI, and assault. She served short jail time and was on probation several times.