Where is Mary Lou Retton Now? Is Mary Lou Retton Dead or Alive?
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Updated Jul 29, 2024
Where is Mary Lou Retton Now?
Mary Lou Retton is still fighting! The 56-year-old Olympian has been dealing with a rare lung condition since October 2023 and is taking her recovery one day at a time. Mary Lou Retton is a retired Gymnast. She won gold at the 1984 Olympics. Currently, she is a mother of 4 kids and has been concentrating on her personal life. She has an official Instagram account, which amassed around 1 lakh followers. She sometimes makes statements about sports and living as a popular sports personality. She has been fighting with pneumonia.
(Source: BBC)
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Who is Mary Lou Retton?
Mary Lou Retton is a retired American gymnast. In the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the all-around competition, plus two silver medals and two bronze medals. Her performance made her very popular in the U.S. Her gold medal win was significant because she was the first American woman to win the all-around gold in gymnastics.
Mary Lou Retton - Bio Table
| Name | Mary Lou Retton |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Fairmont, West Virginia, USA |
| Occupation | Former Gymnast, Motivational Speaker |
| Known For | Iconic perfect 10 on the vault at the 1984 Olympics |
| Health Issues | Battling a rare lung condition since October 2023 |
| Current Activities | Motivational speaking and various media appearances |
| Family | Married to Shannon Kelley (former quarterback and current investment advisor); four daughters |
Is Mary Lou Retton Dead or Alive?
As of now, Mary Lou Retton is alive. She is a retired American gymnast known for her achievements in the 1984 Summer Olympics. There have been no recent reports of her passing. On October 10, 2023, Mary Lou Retton's daughter McKenna revealed that her mother was critically ill with pneumonia. Without health insurance, Retton used crowdfunding to cover her medical costs. She went home later that month and shared on October 30 that she was recovering slowly with her family. By January 22, 2024, $459,234 had been raised to help with her expenses.
Mary Lou Retton Early Life
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Her father, Ronnie, ran a coal-industry transportation business. She attended Fairmont Senior High School but did not graduate. Retton competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles during her sophomore year.
Mary Lou Retton Marital Life
In 1990, Mary Lou Retton married Shannon Kelley, who was a former University of Texas quarterback and worked in real estate and at Houston Baptist University’s athletic department by 2012. They have four daughters: Shayla (born 1995), McKenna (born 1997), Skyla (born 2000), and Emma (born 2002). McKenna and Emma both became NCAA gymnasts, with McKenna competing at Louisiana State University and Emma at the University of Arkansas. Mary Lou and Shannon divorced in February 2018.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1UvKJXL-MZ/
Mary Lou Retton Career
Mary Lou Retton was inspired to start gymnastics after watching Nadia Comăneci excel in the 1976 Olympics when she was eight. She began training in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, with coach Gary Rafaloski, then moved to Houston to train with Béla and Márta Károlyi. Retton quickly made a name for herself, winning the American Cup in 1983 and 1984.
Despite a wrist injury in 1983 and a knee injury before the 1984 Olympics, she recovered in time to compete in Los Angeles. At the 1984 Olympics, she won the all-around gold medal by a narrow margin and became the first American woman to win this title. She also earned a silver in the team competition and vault, and bronze in the floor exercise and uneven bars. Retton was named Sports Illustrated's "Sportswoman of the Year" and appeared on a Wheaties box. She won the American Cup again in 1985 and retired in 1986.
Fairmont, West Virginia, honored Mary Lou Retton by naming a road and park after her. After retiring from gymnastics in 1985, she made cameo appearances in movies like Scrooged and Naked Gun 33+1/3. Retton won several awards, including the Golden Plate Award in 1985, was named one of America’s most popular athletes in 1993, and was inducted into multiple halls of fame. She has had various endorsements, including appearing on a Wheaties box and working with brands like Australian Dream and Colonial Penn Life Insurance.
Mary Lou Retton Net Worth
Mary Lou Retton's Net Worth is around $2 million. Her income comes from endorsements, public appearances, and speaking engagements. She has worked with brands like Wheaties, Australian Dream, and Colonial Penn Life Insurance. Additionally, she has earned through cameo roles in movies and promotional activities.
