Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is battling a rare disease
27 may 2025 в 18:50
Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton battled a «rare» illness, as her daughter McKenna Kelley revealed in early October 2023. Throughout the fight with pneumonia, her daughter and her former partner on the show «Dancing with the Stars», - Sasha Farber, provided fans with updates along the way.
After about two months of battling pneumonia, Mary Lou shared in an interview in January 2024 how it was to experience it. The former gymnast admitted that she was grateful to be alive after being hospitalized. «I am so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here because there was a time when they were going to put me on a ventilator», - she said.
A year later, Mary Lou faced another problem, this time with the law: driving under the influence.
To learn more about Mary Lou’s health, keep reading.
Mary is one of the most iconic gymnasts in US history. Earning the nickname «America's Sweetheart» in the 1980s, hailing from West Virginia, she won a gold medal in the women’s individual all-around, as well as two silver and two bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Mary became the first American female gymnast to win gold in the all-around at the Olympics.
Two years later, Mary retired from the sport. However, she remained in the public eye, appearing in various films such as «Scrooged» and episodes of TV shows like «Baywatch» and «Glee». She participated in «Dancing with the Stars» in 2018 with Sasha as her dance partner.
Earlier, Mary’s daughter McKenna reached out to her followers on Instagram Stories asking for financial help for her mother’s hospitalization. McKenna noted that the former Olympic champion did not have medical insurance.
«My amazing mom, Mary Lou, is fighting for her life with a very rare form of pneumonia», - McKenna said, referring to their SpotFund campaign. «She cannot breathe on her own. She has been in the ICU for over a week. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all the details. However, I will say that she has no insurance».
McKenna continued: «We are asking, if you can help in any way, 1) pray! and 2) if you can help us with funding her hospital bill. ANY help, absolutely any, will be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank you all so much!»
During a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight, Sasha said he was in touch with his former partner and friend.
«Today I spoke to her, and she is fighting», - Sasha noted, but admitted that Mary «wants to give up, but I send her videos of her dances and tell her, 'You are the one and only Mary Lou Retton. You can do it!'»
The professional dancer recalled that Mary «was in Los Angeles [a few weeks] ago and wanted to meet up, [but] I had rehearsals, and I couldn’t. She said, 'Let me treat you to dinner,' but I couldn’t go because of rehearsals».
Although Sasha is worried, he insists that the Olympic champion is a «fighter» and «will be great».
«I know her very well, she is like family to me, and she is a fighter. She is strong», - Sasha concluded.
On October 14, the gymnast’s daughters provided another update through a statement on social media. «We are excited to share some uplifting news! Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been heard and answered», - wrote daughters Sheila and McKenna.
«While she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is gradually unfolding. Her fighting spirit truly shines! Her breathing is getting stronger, and her dependence on machines is decreasing», - they explained. «Although it’s a long road, watching these improvements is incredibly encouraging! She is responding so well to treatment. Once again, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your immense love and support».
Sheila provided another update about her mother on Wednesday, October 18, in an Instagram post
After about two months of battling pneumonia, Mary Lou shared in an interview in January 2024 how it was to experience it. The former gymnast admitted that she was grateful to be alive after being hospitalized. «I am so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here because there was a time when they were going to put me on a ventilator», - she said.
A year later, Mary Lou faced another problem, this time with the law: driving under the influence.
To learn more about Mary Lou’s health, keep reading.
Mary is one of the most iconic gymnasts in US history. Earning the nickname «America's Sweetheart» in the 1980s, hailing from West Virginia, she won a gold medal in the women’s individual all-around, as well as two silver and two bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Mary became the first American female gymnast to win gold in the all-around at the Olympics.
Two years later, Mary retired from the sport. However, she remained in the public eye, appearing in various films such as «Scrooged» and episodes of TV shows like «Baywatch» and «Glee». She participated in «Dancing with the Stars» in 2018 with Sasha as her dance partner.
Earlier, Mary’s daughter McKenna reached out to her followers on Instagram Stories asking for financial help for her mother’s hospitalization. McKenna noted that the former Olympic champion did not have medical insurance.
«My amazing mom, Mary Lou, is fighting for her life with a very rare form of pneumonia», - McKenna said, referring to their SpotFund campaign. «She cannot breathe on her own. She has been in the ICU for over a week. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all the details. However, I will say that she has no insurance».
McKenna continued: «We are asking, if you can help in any way, 1) pray! and 2) if you can help us with funding her hospital bill. ANY help, absolutely any, will be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank you all so much!»
During a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight, Sasha said he was in touch with his former partner and friend.
«Today I spoke to her, and she is fighting», - Sasha noted, but admitted that Mary «wants to give up, but I send her videos of her dances and tell her, 'You are the one and only Mary Lou Retton. You can do it!'»
The professional dancer recalled that Mary «was in Los Angeles [a few weeks] ago and wanted to meet up, [but] I had rehearsals, and I couldn’t. She said, 'Let me treat you to dinner,' but I couldn’t go because of rehearsals».
Although Sasha is worried, he insists that the Olympic champion is a «fighter» and «will be great».
«I know her very well, she is like family to me, and she is a fighter. She is strong», - Sasha concluded.
On October 14, the gymnast’s daughters provided another update through a statement on social media. «We are excited to share some uplifting news! Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been heard and answered», - wrote daughters Sheila and McKenna.
«While she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is gradually unfolding. Her fighting spirit truly shines! Her breathing is getting stronger, and her dependence on machines is decreasing», - they explained. «Although it’s a long road, watching these improvements is incredibly encouraging! She is responding so well to treatment. Once again, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your immense love and support».
Sheila provided another update about her mother on Wednesday, October 18, in an Instagram post
© Puhova Marina
