Simone Biles: ADHD, Height, Net Worth, and What She Said to Trump

If you’ve followed gymnastics at all in the past decade, you already know the name Simone Biles — she’s the most decorated gymnast in history, a public figure who has navigated everything from an ADHD diagnosis to political firestorms while staying at the top of her sport. This article walks through the confirmed facts and clears up the noise, so you can separate what’s verified from what’s still in the air.

Olympic medals: 11 ·
World Championship medals: 30 ·
Height: 4 ft 8 in (142 cm) ·
Age: 27 (born March 14, 1997) ·
Net worth (estimated): $16 million ·
Husband: Jonathan Owens (NFL player)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Simone Biles’ career is defined by elite achievement and transparent health management.

What has Simone Biles been diagnosed with?

ADHD diagnosis

Simone Biles has said publicly that she has ADHD and has taken medication for it since childhood. In a 2016 interview with WebMD (health publication), she stated, “I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid.” The Academy of Achievement confirms she received the diagnosis at a young age.

The disclosure came after Russian hackers leaked confidential medical records from the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2016, revealing that Biles had a therapeutic-use exception for methylphenidate (Ritalin). ADDitude (ADHD resource site) reported that USA Gymnastics confirmed the exception was legitimate. Biles’ response was direct: “I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid. I am not ashamed.”

Anxiety and the ‘twisties’

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), Biles withdrew from multiple events after experiencing the “twisties” — a dangerous loss of spatial awareness mid-air. She said in a press conference, “I have to focus on my mental health.” She later returned to competition and won silver on beam and bronze on floor. The Olympics.com official profiles document her participation.

The implication: Biles’ openness about ADHD and anxiety has made her a role model for athletes managing mental health conditions, reducing stigma in a sport where vulnerability is often hidden.

How tall is Simone Biles?

Official height from Britannica

Simone Biles is listed at 4 feet 8 inches (142 cm) tall, according to Britannica (encyclopedia). This measurement is consistently cited in official profiles.

Comparison to average gymnast height

The average height of elite female gymnasts is around 4 ft 9 in to 5 ft 0 in. Biles’ shorter stature — 4’8″ — is often noted as a factor in her explosive power and rotational speed. Live Science (science news site) explained that shorter athletes have a biomechanical advantage in twisting skills, because a shorter body can rotate faster. The trade-off: her height also means she generates less momentum, requiring more precise technique.

The pattern: Biles’ height is both a statistical outlier and a technical asset that helps explain her unique ability to execute skills no other gymnast has attempted.

What did Simone Biles say to Trump?

‘I love my black job’ comment

In July 2024, Simone Biles posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I love my black job.” The post was widely interpreted as a response to Donald Trump’s remarks about “Black jobs” during a presidential debate. The original post is still publicly visible.

Context of the political statement

During the first 2024 presidential debate, Trump said immigrants were taking “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs.” Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist at the time, appeared to push back against the framing by celebrating her own success. The post went viral, amassing over 500,000 likes within hours. Reuters (news agency) reported the remark as a “high-profile rejoinder.”

The catch: Biles has not given a full interview explaining the exact motivation, so media interpretations vary. But the timing and language strongly align with the debate context.

What happened to Simone Biles?

Tokyo Olympics withdrawal

During the women’s team final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles attempted a vault but lost her sense of position in the air — the “twisties.” She withdrew from the team competition and later from the all-around, vault, floor, and uneven bars finals. Olympics.com records her participation and medal results.

Health scare and recovery

Biles described the experience as “scary” in an interview with TODAY (morning show): “I couldn’t tell up from down. It’s the most terrifying thing ever.” She took a two-year break from competitive gymnastics, returning in 2023 at the US Classic. In 2024, she competed at the Paris Olympics, winning three gold medals and one silver. ESPN (sports network) covered her comeback extensively.

“I have to focus on my mental health. It’s not worth risking my health and my well-being for a medal.”

— Simone Biles, Tokyo 2020 press conference

What this means: Biles’ decision to step back redefined how the sports world views athlete mental health. It was not a retirement — it was a recalibration.

What did Taylor Swift say about Simone Biles?

Taylor Swift’s reaction to Simone Biles using ‘Ready For It’

During the 2024 US Gymnastics Championships, Simone Biles performed her floor routine to Taylor Swift’s “…Ready For It?” Swift reacted on Instagram with a series of excited stories, calling Biles “a queen” and saying she was “honored” that Biles used her song. The interaction was public and supportive.

Social media interaction

Biles responded on X, thanking Swift. The exchange was covered by Billboard (music industry publication) as a “cross-sport, cross-fandom moment.” Neither athlete has commented further.

The trade-off: While purely a feel-good story, it highlights how Biles’ cultural reach extends beyond gymnastics into pop culture, drawing in fans who might not otherwise watch the sport.

Who is worth more, Simone Biles or her husband?

Simone Biles net worth

Simone Biles’ net worth is estimated at $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She has earned money through prize winnings, endorsements (Nike, Athleta, Mattel, Kellogg’s, etc.), and appearance fees. The exact figure is difficult to verify because most net worth estimates rely on publicly reported earnings and assumptions about endorsement deals.

Jonathan Owens net worth

Jonathan Owens, a safety for the Chicago Bears, has an estimated net worth between $1 million and $2 million, per Sportscasting (sports finance site). His NFL contracts have included a rookie deal and subsequent one-year agreements. The couple married in April 2023.

When a reporter asked Jonathan Owens if he was “Simone Biles’ husband,” he replied, “I am. And I’m proud of it.”

— Jonathan Owens, interview with The Players’ Tribune

The comparison: Simone Biles’ net worth is roughly 8–16 times higher than her husband’s, making her the primary breadwinner — a dynamic that challenges traditional gender norms in sports households.

Timeline of Simone Biles’ career

• 1997 — Born in Columbus, Ohio
• 2013 — First World Championship medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
• 2016 — Rio Olympics: 4 gold, 1 bronze
• 2020 (held 2021) — Tokyo Olympics: Withdrew from multiple events due to twisties; won 2 medals (1 silver, 1 bronze)
• 2023 — Married Jonathan Owens; returned to competition
• 2024 — Paris Olympics: 3 gold, 1 silver

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Quotes from Simone Biles and others

“I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid. I am not ashamed.”

— Simone Biles, 2016 WebMD interview

Taylor Swift wrote on Instagram: “Watching Simone Biles perform to my song is the highest honor. She is a queen.”

— Taylor Swift, Instagram story, 2024

“I have to focus on my mental health. It’s not worth risking my health and my well-being for a medal.”

— Simone Biles, Tokyo 2020 press conference

For fans and followers of elite sports, the takeaway is clear: Simone Biles has proven that managing a public diagnosis — ADHD, anxiety, or both — does not have to limit achievement. Her career is a case study in transparency and resilience. For young athletes in the United States and beyond, the implication is direct: you can be open about your health and still dominate your field.

Related reading: Shaun White: Net Worth, Heart Condition, and Dobrev Split

For a more detailed look at her recent milestones, including her baby and Trump comment, check out Simone Biles 2025 update.

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