Simone Biles and NFL player Jonathan Owens have officially tied the knot in a private ceremony officiated by a judge, with just the two of them present. The couple shared their joy with fans by posting their wedding photos on social media.

Biles, an iconic American gymnast, has had a remarkable career that redefines the standards of excellence in her sport. She has won numerous Olympic medals, including four golds, and an incredible 30 World Championship medals, 23 of which are gold. Her outstanding achievements make her the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history.

Her contributions to the sport were recognized when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in 2022. Meanwhile, Jonathan Owens, who modestly refers to himself as “a kid from St. Louis” on his Instagram bio, also has an impressive background.

Owens attended Christian Brothers College High School and later studied at Missouri Western State University, where he pursued a football career. In his senior year, he was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year. After graduating, he entered the 2018 NFL Draft and became a free agent.

Although Owens initially signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent, he never made his rookie debut due to a knee injury during practice before the season started. He now plays as a Safety for the Houston Texans, with Biles as his biggest supporter, often seen cheering him on at his NFL games.

The couple first met through a dating app in 2020, with Biles making the first move. They spent the pandemic getting to know each other better, which strengthened their relationship. By February 2022, they were engaged, with Biles eagerly accepting Owens’ proposal. It took over a year of planning before they had their intimate wedding ceremony.

Many were surprised by the simplicity of their wedding, which included only a judge in attendance. The couple later explained that they were planning a larger destination wedding and wanted to be legally married in the US first.

The newlyweds shared their happiness by posting their wedding photos online, capturing moments of their joyous occasion in traditional wedding poses. For the courthouse ceremony, Biles opted for a simple look, wearing a $120 white tiered midi dress and $35 shoes, both of which she purchased on sale.

Biles admitted that she ordered everything for the wedding during the week of the ceremony, including her dress, shoes, wedding bands, and bouquet, as she was more focused on planning their destination wedding. After the ceremony, the couple had a photoshoot in several locations, including an elegant elevator and a rooftop.

While Biles received praise for her wedding attire, she also faced criticism for her hair. Some social media users criticized her hair as “unkempt,” sparking a debate between those who defended her and those who attacked her. Eventually, Biles addressed the comments, explaining that the Houston weather had affected her hairstyle but that she was unconcerned with the criticism.

The Owens did not reveal the exact date of their larger wedding, but Biles hinted it would take place within a few weeks, which prompted them to hurry the US ceremony. Biles spent months planning the destination wedding, for which she had two gowns custom-made by Israeli designer Galia Lahav.

In May 2023, the couple held their destination wedding in Cabo, Mexico, with 144 guests in attendance. Despite her challenges, Biles has continued to rise, overcoming immense pressure as one of the country’s top gymnasts.

Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Ohio, to a mother who struggled with substance abuse and a father who left the family when she was young. Throughout her early years, Biles and her three siblings often lacked proper care and nutrition, with their mother prioritizing feeding a stray cat over her children.

Eventually, concerned neighbors alerted social workers, who determined that Biles and her siblings would be better off in foster care. Biles recalled her fear of being separated from her siblings, though they initially remained together in the same home. She often checked on her older brother, worried that he might be taken away.

At age six, Biles and her sister Adria were adopted by their grandparents, Nellie and Ron Biles, in Texas. Biles considers them her parents, while her two older siblings, Ashley and Tevin, were adopted by a great-aunt in Ohio.

Despite a challenging childhood, Biles was determined to excel and found solace in gymnastics. She sacrificed much to pursue her passion, even leaving public school at 14 to be homeschooled and focus on her sport.

Biles has been a standout gymnast since she began training, with her talent evident to all who watched her. While she missed out on typical teenage experiences like prom, her love for gymnastics kept her motivated.

Biles first made a significant impact in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won four gold medals and a bronze on the balance beam. However, her success was marred by controversy when Russian hackers claimed she used medication on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list. Biles quickly defended herself, explaining that she had been taking the medication since childhood for ADHD.

In 2018, Biles courageously came forward as one of the many survivors of abuse by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Over 330 women and girls accused Nassar of sexual abuse, but it took time for Biles to acknowledge what had happened to her. When she finally did, she broke down in tears while speaking to her mother, Nellie, over the phone.

Biles became a vocal advocate for survivors, sharing her story on social media and calling out USA Gymnastics for failing to protect athletes. The trauma she endured affected her mental health, leading her to step back from gymnastics despite her impressive record. She initially planned to retire after the Tokyo Olympics but was encouraged by her French coaches to consider competing in the 2024 Paris Games.

Since July 30, 2024, Biles has been competing in the Paris Olympics, where she has already won three gold medals in the women’s team, all-around, and vault events, as well as two silver medals in the floor exercise. Her success has brought her overall Olympic medal count to 10, with seven golds, two bronzes, and one silver.

Despite her achievements, Biles has asked fans to give her space and allow her to enjoy the moment rather than constantly asking about her future plans. Her accomplishments in Paris have cemented her legacy as one of the most successful gymnasts in history, matching the records of Larisa Latynina and Shannon Miller but surpassing them in gold medals.

Biles has faced mental blocks, particularly during the Tokyo Olympics, where she struggled to perform her routines. However, she credits her family and now-husband for supporting her through these challenges. With their help, Biles continues to push herself to be the best she can be, a fact that even her coaches recognize.

After briefly considering retirement, Biles made a triumphant return at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. Her dominance in the sport is evident not only in her Olympic and World Championship performances but also in her success at the US Championships, US Classic, and other competitions.

Biles’ influence extends beyond her competitive achievements. The World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, owned by her parents, Ron and Nellie, serves as a symbol of representation and inclusivity in a sport that has historically lacked diversity. Biles takes pride in the center’s role in inspiring the next generation of gymnasts, emphasizing the importance of representation for all aspiring athletes, regardless of their background.