Mary Lou Retton, an iconic gymnast known for her extraordinary performance during the 1984 Summer Olympics, has recently faced a challenging health ordeal. This courageous athlete, who captured our hearts with her flawless routines and earned the gold medal, is now fighting for her life in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, took to social media to share the heartbreaking news. She revealed that her mother is battling a rare form of pneumonia, which has severely affected her ability to breathe independently.
Our beloved gymnastics legend has been receiving dedicated care from a team of medical professionals for over a week now.
Out of respect for Retton’s privacy, Kelley did not disclose all the details of her mother’s condition. What she did share, however, is that Retton is currently uninsured, and the medical expenses are piling up rapidly.
In an effort to ease the financial burden, Kelley has initiated a fund and humbly appealed to anyone who can help raise money for the hospital bills. She kindly requests two simple gestures: prayers and financial contributions towards these expenses.
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 but has continued to captivate audiences with her appearances in popular shows such as Glee, Baywatch, and even as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars. A true inspiration, she has also been rightfully inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, a testament to her incredible legacy.
The timeline of Retton’s hospitalization remains unclear at this time. Let us remember that Mary Lou Retton is not just an exceptional athlete, but also a proud mother of four daughters. Updates on her condition will be shared as soon as they become available.