Mary Lou Retton, a household name in American gymnastics, made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics by winning gold medals in vault and floor, earning her a spot in American sports history. Retton later appeared on Wheaties boxes and was named Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Recently, Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelly shared on Instagram that her mother is “fighting for her life in the ICU” due to a rare form of pneumonia. This condition has left Retton unable to breathe on her own. She has been under the care of dedicated medical staff for over a week.
Kelly revealed that Retton is uninsured, leading to mounting hospital bills. To help with the financial burden, Kelly has set up a fund and appealed for “prayers and financial contributions.”
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 but remained in the public eye with guest roles on shows like Glee, Baywatch, and Dancing with the Stars. She was also inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
It remains uncertain how long Retton will stay in the hospital, but her legacy as a gymnastics icon endures.