Mary Lou Retton, a household name, made history as a gymnast for Team USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Her incredible performances in the vault and floor exercises earned her two gold medals, cementing her place in American sports history. She was later named Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year and appeared on Wheaties boxes.
Recently, Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelly, shared heartbreaking news on her Instagram Story. The gymnastics legend is currently fighting for her life in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Kelly revealed that her mother is suffering from a very rare form of pneumonia, which has left her unable to breathe on her own. Retton has been under the care of dedicated medical staff for over a week.
Out of respect for Retton’s privacy, Kelly declined to share further details but mentioned that her mother is uninsured, causing the hospital bills to accumulate quickly.
To ease the financial burden, Kelly has set up a fund and is making a humble appeal for help with the medical expenses. She asked for two simple actions: prayers and financial contributions to the account.
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 but continued to appear in the public eye with guest roles on popular shows like Glee and Baywatch, and she even competed on season 27 of Dancing with the Stars.
It is not yet known how long Retton will remain in the hospital. The celebrated athlete, who inspired many, was also officially inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
