All About Gabby Douglas' Mom, Natalie Hawkins

Kelsie Gibson
·4 min read

The gymnast's mom is not only her manager but her biggest cheerleader

<p>Jim Spellman/WireImage</p>

Jim Spellman/WireImage

Gabby Douglas’ No. 1 supporter is her mother.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist, who makes her anticipated return to gymnastics with the American Classic, was born to parents Timothy Douglas and Natalie Hawkins on Dec. 31, 1995.

Following her parents’ split at a young age, Douglas’ mother raised her and her siblings as a single mother and the gymnast has been candid about her estranged relationship with her dad through the years.

Throughout all the various highs and lows in her life and career, she has had the encouragement of her mother, who also doubles as her manager.

“My mom definitely encourages me throughout my whole journey, and she’s always been there,” Douglas previously told PEOPLE of her mother’s support. “She just tells me to go out there and keep fighting and just be really bold and courageous.”

Here’s everything to know about Douglas’ mother.

She raised Gabby and her siblings as a single mother

<p>Albert L. Ortega/Getty</p> Gabby Douglas with mother and sister

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Gabby Douglas with mother and sister

Douglas was born on Dec. 31, 1995, in Newport News, Va. and is the youngest of four, including two older sisters, Arielle Hawkins and Joyelle Douglas, and an older brother, Jonathan Douglas.

Douglas’ mother and father, the latter of whom worked in the Air Force, reportedly split in 2007 and Hawkins raised Douglas and her siblings as a single mom. While Douglas has a tight-knit bond with her mother, she has been candid about her estranged relationship with her father.

When asked about him during an interview with ESPN published in August 2012, Douglas noted that she is “not really” in contact with him, adding, “Me and my dad are kind of distant since my mom and him separated."

Her mother struggled with letting her move away to train for gymnastics

Douglas spent much of her early childhood living in Virginia, before eventually moving at age 14 to Des Moines, Iowa, to train full-time with coach Liang Chow. The move was especially hard on her mom, who was eventually persuaded by Douglas’ siblings to let her go.

“We had to be like, 'Mom, do this, please, please, please,' and it was extra hard because she’s a mama bear and she’s so protective. So we made a pros-and-cons list. Making the Olympics was a pro. Missing her was a huge, huge con,” Douglas’ sister Arielle told The New York Times in 2012.

She has cheered her on for many competitions

<p>David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty</p> Natalie Hawkins cheering at the 2012 Summer Olympics

David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty

Natalie Hawkins cheering at the 2012 Summer Olympics

In addition to being her manager, Hawkins is also her daughter’s biggest fan. She has been spotted cheering her on from the stands during many events. Notably, she was on the sidelines as Douglas made history as the first African-American woman to win gold in the women’s all-around at the 2012 London Olympics.

She’s Gabby’s biggest supporter off the mat as well

<p>Raymond Boyd/Getty </p> Gabby Douglas signing autographs with her mom

Raymond Boyd/Getty

Gabby Douglas signing autographs with her mom

Hawkins’ support for her daughter goes far beyond promoting her career; she also has defended Douglas against internet trolls.

"It's definitely a mother-and-daughter moment,” Douglas told ESPN of her mom having her back. “'Don't mess with my baby,' she would say. 'You don't want to see the other side of Natalie coming out!' It was so funny. You need that in your life. Someone to protect you. It was awesome she was backing me up and defending me."

“My mom definitely encourages me throughout my whole journey, and she’s always been there,” Douglas told PEOPLE of her mother. “She just tells me to go out there and keep fighting and just be really bold and courageous.”

Their family life was documented on Douglas Family Gold

Douglas gave a deeper look into her bond with her mother and siblings in the Oxygen reality series Douglas Family Gold. Released in May 2016, the show followed Douglas as she trained for the 2016 Rio Olympics, with the guidance and support of her family.

“They have sacrificed so much for my career,” Douglas told PEOPLE of her family. “They encourage me, give me great advice and make me laugh!”

“[My mom] told me that it’s the times that I have fallen and gotten back up that are the moments that inspire her the most,” she continued. “She always tells me that no matter what the outcome is, I am a champion in her eyes.”

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