Mary Lou Retton is an American retired gymnast who had a remarkable career having won a gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. Her biography facts explored.
On October 2023, news broke that Olympic gold-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton had been hospitalised due to a rare form of pneumonia.
A few hours later, her daughter McKenna Kelly posted a statement on her Instagram telling fans that her mother was okay. The gymnast also took to her Insatgram to release a few statements telling fans she is home and recovering from her illness.
Mary has had a successful career and is regarded as one of the most popular gymnasts in the United States having competed in the sporting event at just 16 years old.
Here’s everything we know about the retired athlete; from her career, and accomplishments to her net worth.
Profile Summary
| Celebrated Name: | Mary Lou Retton |
| Net Worth: | $2 million |
| Profession: | Retired American Gymnast |
| Full Real Name: | Mary Lou Retton |
| Date of Birth: | January 24, 1968 (age 55 years) |
| Birthplace: | Fairmont, West Virginia, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.45 m |
Who is gymnast Mary Lou Retton?
Mary Lou Retton has made a name as a prominent athlete in American history.
She is a retired gymnast who was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States.
The 55-year-old was born to parents Ronnie Retton (father) and Lois Retton (mother).
Her dad, Ronnie, operated a coal-industry transportation equipment business.
She has three brothers: Ronnie, Donnie, and Jerry Retton, and a sister named Shari Retton, who were all supportive of her career.
She attended Fairmont Senior High School but did not graduate. She competed in the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, California, during her sophomore year of high school.
She began her career at an early age but it was not until 1983 that she burst onto the gymnastics scene.
Retton gained recognition that year after winning the American Cup – a feat she achieved again in 1984 and 1985.
In 1984, she represented Team USA at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
Her face ended up on the cover of Wheaties cereal and she went on to work in television after retiring in September 1986.
In 2018, she was a contestant on the 27th season of Dancing With The Stars, finishing in ninth place with partner with Sasha Farber.
Did Mary Lou Retton win the Olympic gold medal?
Just weeks before the 1984 Olympics, Retton injured her knee and had to have emergency surgery.
Many believed that the injury would prevent her from competing, however, she recovered in time and went on to make history.
At the Los Angeles Olympics, Retton recorded perfect 10s on the floor and vault, which helped her become the first American in history to win an Olympic individual all-around gold medal.
Additionally, Retton took home silver medals in the vault and team event and bronze medals in the uneven bars and the floor.
“I can’t describe how I felt,” Retton recalled, via the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
“I had goosebumps going up and down me. I knew from the takeoff, I knew from the run – I just knew it.”
Retton’s performance at the Olympics helped her get inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
What illness is Mary Lou Retton battling and how is she doing now?
Since retiring from gymnastics, Retton has lived a quiet life, however, she made headlines in October 2023 after it was revealed that she had been hospitalized after reportedly battling a rare form of pneumonia.
The news was revealed by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, on Instagram.
“Please help my mom continue to fight,” Kelley said in her post, which included a link to a SpotFund account that was made to help with medical costs, according to TMZ Sports.
However, after weeks of treatment, Kelley revealed via Instagram that the former gymnast made it home and is continuing to recover as she’s still battling with the sickness.
“Mom is HOME & in recovery mode,” she wrote.
“We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps,” she continued.
On October 30, 2023, Retton took to the social media app to personally update her fans.
She posted a statement on Instagram that read: “I’m beyond blessed to have the opportunity to make this statement. I am overwhelmed with all the love and support from the world as I fight. I am forever grateful to you all!”
“I’m with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process.”
“I appreciate everyone’s respect of my privacy at this time. When the time is right, I will be sharing more information about my health issues and hope I can help others who may face the same battle as me.
“I love you all.”
What is Mary Lou Retton’s net worth?
U.S. gymnast Mary Retton reportedly has a decent fortune. Her net worth is estimated to be roughly $2 million, per CelebrityNetWorth.
She was a hugely popular athlete in the U.S. in the 1980s and had several endorsement deals.
However, that number hasn’t been independently verified and doesn’t necessarily reflect whether she would have been able to play for healthcare. When she was recently hospitalised, she ultimately raised more than $300,000 to help pay for her care.
Although Mary Lou’s family has crowdfunded more than enough money to pay for her medical care, it’s unclear why the money was needed to begin with. It’s possible that she doesn’t have the kind of steady employment that would offer health insurance, but it seems unlikely that she wouldn’t have the income required to pay for her insurance through Obamacare.
What her story has surely highlighted, though, is that healthcare in America is enormously expensive for the uninsured. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Lou and her family as she continues to fight to recover.