Millions of viewers have tuned into Simone Biles Rising, which delves into the life and career of US gymnast Simone Biles. The first two episodes of the four-part series were released on Netflix on Wednesday, July 17, with the following two episodes released on Thursday, October 25. The initial episodes centre around Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, and explore her dramatic withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, her mental health journey, marriage, family life, and the ongoing pursuit of success and glory.
Family plays a significant role in the documentary, highlighting Simone's close relationship with her foster family and sister, and the pivotal role of her foster mother and father. However, viewers may be curious about Simone's upbringing and how she came to be fostered by her paternal grandfather and his second wife. With help from the Mirror, we delve into her background and how her family played a crucial role in her success.
Born on March 14, 1997, Simone is the third of four siblings. The Netflix documentary reveals that her birth mother, Shanon Biles, was unable to care for Simone or her other children due to substance addiction. All four children experienced periods in foster care, and Simone's sister Adria recalls how Simone was "so bossy" towards her - a trait Adria later realised was borne out of a desire to protect her.
In the Netflix documentary, Simone Biles reflected: "We were in foster care together, so I felt like she was my little .