Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, delivered the Commencement address on May 12, 2025, at Washington University in St. Louis. Biles received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, addressing more than 3,600 members of the Class of 2025 and their friends and family members.
The most decorated gymnast in history with 41 medals across World Championships and the Olympic Games, Simone Biles holds the most World Championship medals (30, including 23 gold medals) in gymnastics history. A three-time Olympian, her 11 Olympic medals, including seven gold, are the most by a U.S. gymnast.
A three-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and an Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, she has earned the rare distinction of having five skills named in her honor — The Biles — in the beam, floor and vault disciplines.
Biles’ extraordinary accomplishments have received widespread recognition, including the youngest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” Forbes’ “30 Under 30”, Ebony Power 100, People’s “Women Changing the World,” USA Today’s “100 Women of the Century” and CNN Heroes, among others.
Her autobiography, “Courage to Soar,” was a New York Times bestseller and was developed into an award-winning TV special on Lifetime, while her Snap Originals series, “Daring Simone Biles,” received an NAACP Image Award.
An ambassador for Friends of the Children, Biles uses her platform to help advocate for change and to support initiatives that provide education and assistance for children and young adults connected to adoption, foster care and overall wellness.