When you think of gymnastics greatness, the name Simone Biles immediately springs to mind. The flips, the grace, the unmatched dominance. But beyond her athletic heroics, she’s built something equally impressive off the mat: a net worth estimated at $25 million in 2025. Yes, you read that right. This figure makes her not just a gymnastics legend, but the richest gymnast in history.
How did she get there? And what makes her story compelling, especially in the way she’s leveraged sport into long-term brand value? Let’s dive deep into her biography, her career milestones, her endorsements, and how she turned Olympic glory into serious financial success.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simone Arianne Biles |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1997 – Columbus, Ohio, USA |
| Age in 2025 | 28 years |
| Height | 4 ft 8 in (approximately 1.42 m) |
| Olympic Medals | 7 total: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze |
| World Championships Medals | 30+ (23 Gold) – most decorated gymnast (male or female) |
| Estimated Net Worth in 2025 | ~$25 million |
| Annual Endorsement Earnings | ~$5-10 million (various estimates) |
| Primary Sponsors | Athleta (main apparel partner), Visa, UberEats, United Airlines, Subway, MasterClass |
| Spouse | Jonathan Owens (NFL player) |
Early Life & Beginnings: The Foundation of a Champion
Simone’s story didn’t begin on the podium—it began in real life, with real challenges.
She was born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio. Both of her parents struggled with addiction, and at a young age she and her sister entered foster care. Eventually, her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, officially adopted her and her younger sister Adria—and relocated the family to Spring, Texas.
At age six, a seemingly routine daycare field trip to a gymnastics gym changed everything. Simone, bursting with energy and raw talent, began mimicking older gymnasts. Her coaches noticed—so much so that they encouraged her family to let her train.
Her early years were defined by discipline: training hours that far exceeded most kids, a transition to homeschooling to accommodate her schedule, and a mindset that embraced both struggle and ambition. Her small stature (4’8”) may have been seen by many as a limitation—but in gymnastics, it became an asset: less mass to move, more agility to rotate.
Rise to Stardom: Major Career Milestones
Junior & Breakout Years
Simone began competing at elite levels around 2011-2012. Her speed, power, and execution stood out: vaults that defied gravity, beam routines with unheard-of difficulty, floor exercises that seemed to rewrite the rulebook.
Historic World Championships
In 2013, at just 16, Simone captured the senior world all-around title—becoming the first African American woman to do so. From then on, she kept rewriting the record books. By 2019, she had more world championship gold medals than any US gymnast in history.
Olympics: Gold, Setbacks & Redemption
Rio 2016: This is where she exploded onto the global scene: 4 golds and 1 bronze. It was the coronation.
Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021): A dramatic turn in her journey. After dominating gymnastics for years, Simone withdrew from several events citing mental health and the dangerous condition known as “the twisties”—a state where the gymnast loses spatial awareness mid-air. She returned to win a bronze on beam and silver in the team final.
Paris 2024: A triumphant comeback. Simone added three golds and one silver to her Olympic tally—affirming her status as the greatest gymnast of all time.
What Sports Analysts Say
From Encyclopaedia Britannica:
“Simone Biles… considered one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport…”
Her combination of power, artistry, and consistency is unprecedented. She is the first woman to win a World medal on every event, the only gymnast to attempt her own signature skills across vault, beam, and floor.
Net Worth Breakdown: How $25 Million Came Together
Competition Earnings: Surprisingly Small
Although Simone has racked up medals, the actual prize money from Olympics and major gymnastics federations remains modest. In the US, medal bonuses are approximately: gold ~$37,500, silver ~$22,500, bronze ~$15,000.
Even accumulating her Olympic medals, Simone’s sport-based earnings are a fraction of her total wealth.
Endorsements & Brand Value: The Real Engine
This is where the money is. Analysts estimate Simone earns around $5-10 million per year from endorsements and sponsorships.
Key partnerships & moves:
- Simone left her longtime sponsor Nike in 2021 and moved to Athleta — a strategic value-based decision. She stated she wanted to align with a brand whose values mirrored hers. This switch boosted both her earnings and her personal brand authenticity.
- Her endorsement portfolio includes Visa, UberEats, United Airlines, Subway, MasterClass, Powerade, and more. These provide both cash income and long-term brand equity.
- Beyond one-off deals, she’s built product lines (e.g., signature Athleta collections), speaking engagements, and media appearances that reinforce her value beyond competition.
Investments, Real Estate & Diversification
While detailed breakdowns of her assets are private, reports highlight that Simone and her husband Jonathan Owens invested in real estate (a Texas home is frequently mentioned), and she maintains a cautious, grounded approach to spending.
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Why Her Brand Works: Lessons in Athlete Branding
- Authenticity & Values: Simone doesn’t just represent a product—she represents resilience, mental-health advocacy, athletic excellence and empowerment. The Athleta move underscored that she picks partners aligned with her narrative.
- Peak + Comeback: Her success isn’t just about winning gold—it’s about overcoming, stepping back, and returning stronger. That story resonates deeply.
- Transcending Sport: She isn’t just a gymnast—she’s a cultural figure. Her endorsements tap into lifestyle, fashion, travel, mental wellness, and female empowerment.
- Multiple Income Streams: Endorsements, product lines, speaking fees, appearances—she’s diversified her income so it doesn’t depend solely on competitive wins.
- Longevity in a Short Career Sport: Gymnastics careers often peak early. Simone’s model shows how to build legacy and income beyond the mat.
Is She Really the Richest Gymnast Ever?
The short answer: Yes.
With an estimated $25 million net worth in 2025, Simone Biles surpasses any other gymnast historically. For comparison, fellow U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson is estimated at ~$9 million.
Her placement on Forbes’ lists of highest-paid female athletes (not just gymnasts) further underscores her commercial value.
Lifestyle, Spending & Influence
Home & Personal Life
Simone lives in Texas with Jonathan Owens. They’ve reportedly invested in a custom home with luxe amenities, though Simone frequently emphasizes that spending is measured and intentional.
Advocacy & Impact
Beyond medals and dollars, Simone uses her platform for meaningful impact:
- She has spoken openly about mental health, particularly her experience in Tokyo and dealing with the “twisties.”
- She’s a role model for young athletes, especially girls and under-represented communities.
- She participates in philanthropic work and uses her brand to support empowerment campaigns.
Inspiration Factor
Her journey—from foster care to global superstardom—offers a narrative that’s compelling. Her story has been featured in documentaries and media pieces, further amplifying her influence.
Challenges & What Sets Her Apart
- Gymnastics is physically brutal and careers are short. Simone has faced injuries, mental health crises, and the intense pressure of being “the best”.
- The “twisties” episode in Tokyo forced a re-examination of the athlete experience: the mental side, not just the physical. That vulnerability made her even more relatable.
- Yet she returned—stronger, smarter, more strategic. That comeback frames much of her recent brand story.
These elements make her more than another athlete—they make her a case study in human resilience and branding.
Outlook: What’s Next for Simone Biles?
- Post-Competition Ventures: As she transitions (or begins to transition) from peak competition, expect more business ventures: fashion lines, wellness brands, media content, maybe even production or ownership roles.
- Brand Expansion: The $5-10 million annual endorsement figure could grow, especially with projects that leverage her name beyond gymnastics.
- Legacy & Influence: She’s already breaking records; her legacy will likely include athlete representation, mental-health advocacy, and perhaps a blueprint for how athletes build lasting value beyond sport.
- Financial Growth: Her net worth isn’t static. With smart diversification and brand longevity, her financial footprint will likely expand.
Final Thoughts
Simone Biles’ $25 million net worth in 2025 isn’t just a number—it’s the result of talent, hard work, smart decisions, and brand building. She turned flips and medals into global influence and financial sustainability.
From a childhood in foster care to Olympic podiums, to endorsement deals and business ventures—her journey is a masterclass in rewriting expectations. She’s not just the greatest gymnast of all time in sport; she’s one of the smartest athletes of all time in business.
Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, marketing, sports business, or inspirational stories—Simone’s tale speaks to all of them.