Mary Lou Retton, a famous American gymnast, became well-known when she won gold medals in vault and floor exercises at the 1984 Summer Olympics, making her a significant figure in American sports history. She also appeared on Wheaties boxes and was named Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Recently, Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelly, posted on Instagram that her mother is “fighting for her life in the ICU” because of a rare form of pneumonia. This illness has made it hard for Retton to breathe on her own, and she has been receiving care from medical staff for more than a week.
Kelly shared that Retton doesn’t have health insurance, which means her hospital bills are adding up. To help with the costs, Kelly has started a fund and is asking for “prayers and financial contributions.”
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 but stayed in the spotlight with appearances on shows like *Glee*, *Baywatch*, and *Dancing with the Stars*. She was also inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
It’s unclear how long Retton will need to stay in the hospital, but her legacy as a gymnastics legend continues.