The gymnast is widely considered one of the most iconic US athletes to have ever competed in Olympic gymnastics, having taken gold in the individual all-around competition at the 1984 games in Los Angeles
Retton’s success marked the first time in history that an American woman had earned the all-around gold medal, and indeed any individual medal in gymnastics.
Unsurprisingly, Retton rose to national prominence through her feats, going on to appear in several films and TV shows throughout the 1980s and ’90s. She was also recognized as Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 1984.
Her fans were dealt a blow after the former star’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, revealed her mother is in ICU battling a rare form of pneumonia.
McKenna’s post on Spotfund read: “Hey everyone! On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help.
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own.
“She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she is not insured.
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill. It went on, “ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!”
Following her retirement from gymnastics, Retton became a motivational speaker. She also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under former President George W. Bush.
People were shocked that a former Olympic athlete who has held high-profile positions would need crowdfunding for her hospital bills. One person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Mary Lou Retton’s daughter has now raised over $300,000 to cover the medical bills of a millionaire conservative who *refused* to buy health insurance.”
Another added, “Correction! *Millionaire* Mary Lou Retton *CHOSE* not to pay for health care. Now her kids want to protect their inheritance,” another person added.
Now, months after her daughters launched her crowdfunding campaign, Retton is finally speaking up about it. “I didn’t even know that was happening until I came to a few weeks later,” she said. She talked about how the bills have started to roll in and are still coming. “I couldn’t have done it without my daughters,” she said, thanking her four girls for stepping in and taking charge to help their mother out.
