Olympic gold-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton is currently fighting for her life in the ICU, according to her daughter McKenna Kelley. Retton is battling a rare form of pneumonia that has left her unable to breathe on her own.
Key Takeaway
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold-winning gymnast, is in the ICU battling a rare form of pneumonia that has affected her ability to breathe on her own.
McKenna Kelley shared the update on Tuesday via her Instagram story, accompanied by a photo of a SpotFund account she started to raise funds for her mother’s medical costs. In her post, Kelley asked for assistance in helping her mother continue to fight.
The fundraiser for Retton’s medical costs revealed that the 55-year-old former athlete is facing a challenging battle with the rare form of pneumonia. Due to respect for Retton’s privacy, Kelley did not disclose all the details but did mention that her mother does not have insurance coverage.
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill,” Kelley wrote on the fundraising page.
Currently, the fundraiser has a goal of $50,000, and more than 79 donors have contributed towards it as of Tuesday. The outpouring of support and well wishes from fans has been significant, with many expressing their prayers and hope for Retton’s recovery.
Mary Lou Retton is renowned in the world of gymnastics. In the 1984 Olympics, she made history as the first American woman to win the all-around gold. That same year, she also secured two silver and two bronze medals. Her remarkable achievements led to her induction into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Retton’s impact extended beyond gymnastics. In 2020, she became the first woman to be selected into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. Her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, has even honored her with a road and park named after her. Additionally, Retton made appearances in movies and TV shows, including the popular series “Baywatch.”
As Mary Lou Retton fights this challenging battle with pneumonia, the gymnastics community and her fans continue to rally behind her, offering support, prayers, and financial assistance.
