The Health Journey of Mary Lou Retton: A Valiant Struggle for Life.
A well-known figure, Mary Lou Retton created history at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles while competing for Team USA as a gymnast. She won gold medals for her amazing vault and floor routines, solidifying her legacy in American sports history. Later on, she was featured on Wheaties boxes and was crowned Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year.
McKenna Kelly, Retton’s daughter, just posted tragic news on Instagram. The legendary gymnast is battling for her life in the intensive care unit right now because she has a “very rare form of pneumonia” that prevents her from breathing on her own. Kelly stated that Retton has been receiving treatment from committed medical personnel for more than a week.
Kelly mentioned that her mother is uninsured and that her hospital bills are getting worse, but she would not go into further details out of respect for Retton’s privacy. Kelly established a fund and respectfully asked for “prayers and financial contributions” in order to lessen the financial load.
In 1986, Retton announced her retirement from gymnastics, but she kept making public appearances, including as a guest on programs like Dancing with the Stars, Baywatch, and Glee. Her influence on the sport is still felt, as evidenced by her induction into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.