OLYMPIC gold-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton has been hospitalized due to a rare form of pneumonia.
Her daughter, McKenna Kelly, shared the news on her Instagram Story, along with a plea to the public for help with medical costs.
McKenna wrote: "Please help my mom continue to fight."
A fundraiser started by Mary Lou's family has reached over $181,000 in donations.
Retton won five medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics and was the first American woman to score a gold medal in the individual all-around competition.
She also served on the Physical Fitness and Sports Council under President George W. Bush.
Follow our Mary Lou Retton live blog for the latest news and updates on the gymnast's health…
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By Amanda Castro
Diagnostic tests to determine if you have pneumonia
The following tests may be performed if your doctor suspects you have pneumonia.
- A chest X-ray
- Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC)
- Pulse oximetry
Specific pneumonia symptoms to look out for, continued
Other symptoms that you can have include a headache, muscular soreness, excessive exhaustion, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, and diarrhea.
The normal symptoms may not be present in older persons, people with serious diseases, or those with compromised immune systems. Instead of a fever, they might have a lower-than-normal temperature.
Pneumonia in older folks might make them feel weak or abruptly lucid.
Babies may exhibit no normal signs either. They could throw up, get a fever, cough, or act agitated, exhausted, and without energy. Additionally, infants may have the following symptoms of respiratory issues:
- Bluish tone to the skin and lips
- Grunting
- Pulling inward of the muscles between the ribs when breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Widening of the nostrils with each breath
Specific pneumonia symptoms to look out for
Pneumonia symptoms can range from minor to severe.
More serious pneumonia or potentially fatal consequences are more likely to develop in young children, elderly individuals, and those with serious medical problems.
Pneumonia symptoms might include:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Chills
- Cough with or without mucus
- Fever
- Low oxygen levels in your blood, measured with a pulse oximeter
- Shortness of breath
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By Amanda Castro
How to treat pneumonia
Medicines for viruses, fungi, or antibiotics may be used to treat pneumonia.
The recovery from pneumonia might take several weeks.
When your symptoms worsen, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you have a severe case of pneumonia, you might need to travel to the hospital for oxygen treatment and intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
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By Amanda Castro
Diagnosing pneumonia
Your doctor will examine you physically, review your medical history, order tests like a chest X-ray, and diagnose pneumonia.
Your kind of pneumonia may be determined using this information.
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By Amanda Castro
Pneumonia explained
One or both of the lungs might become infected with pneumonia. It makes the lungs' air sacs, or alveoli, swell with fluid or pus.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may cause pneumonia.
Mild to severe symptoms might range from having a cough that produces mucus (a sticky material), to having a fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Your age, general health, and the origin of your illness all affect how serious your case of pneumonia is.
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By Carsen Holaday
Meet Mary Lou Retton’s daughters, part two
Mary’s second daughter McKenna, who has asked for help on her mom's behalf, was on the gymnastics team while studying at Louisiana State University.
While studying, she competed in the NCAA Team Finals.
While Skyla isn’t involved in collegiate gymnastics, the Olympian’s daughter pursued cheerleading.
Lastly, Emma is on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas.
In 2016, Emma finished fourth place at the Texas State Championship.
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By Carsen Holaday
Meet Mary Lou Retton’s daughters
Like their mother, Mary Lou Retton’s daughters have all been involved in gymnastics or sports since they were young.
While studying at Baylor University in 2017, Shayla was also on the university’s tumbling and acrobatics team.
While in the sport, Shayla won a National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association Individual Championship.
Mary Lou Retton has four daughtersCredit: Instagram -
By Carsen Holaday
Mary Lou Retton is a mom of four
Mary Lou Retton had four daughters while married to Shannon Kelley.
Her daughters are Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma.
The gymnast divorced her husband in 2018.
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By Carsen Holaday
Fans send support
Mary Lou Retton’s fans are sharing messages of encouragement in the comments of her family’s fundraiser as they send donations.
“All the best wishes to my childhood hero for a full and complete recovery,” one fan wrote.
Another shared: “You have admirers all over the USA – Our prayers for you an icon of the Olympics. Thank You Ms Retton. God Speed !”
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By Carsen Holaday
‘I just knew it’
At the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, Mary Lou Retton recorded perfect 10s on the floor and vault, which helped her become the first American in history to win an Olympic individual all-around gold medal.
Additionally, Retton took home silver medals in the vault and team event and bronze medals in the uneven bars and the floor, according to her Olympics biography.
“I can’t describe how I felt,” Retton recalled, via the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
“I had goosebumps going up and down me. I knew from the takeoff, I knew from the run – I just knew it.”
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By Carsen Holaday
Sportswoman of 1984
Mary Lou proved her ability as a legendary gymnast during the Summer Olympics in 1984.
She scored perfect 10s on the floor, securing the gold medal.
Mary then went on to place second in the vault category, walking away with a silver medal, and bronze in the uneven bars.
She also scored a second silver medal in the team event.
Her victories were heard around the world and she was named Sportswoman of the Year and Amateur Athlete of the Year by the American press
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By Carsen Holaday
McKenna Kelley shares message
Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared a message to her Instagram that read: “When everything is shaking, God is up to something. It’s so easy to forget that God can use even the most hurtful hopeless situation to show His love and faithfulness to us.
“So today, be reminded that in your pain, God is doing something. You might not understand it now, but continue to trust in Him, to obey His will, and to worship Him.
“God wouldn’t allow anything unless it has a purpose.”
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By Carsen Holaday
Supporters take to social media
Multiple fans have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to send prayers Mary Lou Retton’s way after her daughter revealed she was “fighting for her life” in the ICU.
One wrote: “My prayers and thoughts to Mary Lou and the family, Mary Lou gets stronger and comes out of ICU care.
“[Mary Lou] is one of the BEST gymnasts in the world- enjoyed watching her compete. You’ve got this Mary Lou!”
Another wrote: “Praying for her recovery..”
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By Carsen Holaday
Mary Lou Retton's daughter shared Instagram post
On her Instagram Story, Mary Lou’s daughter McKenna Lane Kelley posted a photo of her mom.
She captioned the sweet picture: “Please consider helping our mom and family out!
“And most importantly please continue to pray!”
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By Carsen Holaday
Mary Lou Retton rose to fame as an Olympian
Mary Lou Retton won five medals during her career as an Olympian including one gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Retton competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles where her performance gained her national attention.
The Olympic star is currently “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit, according to her daughter McKenna Kelley’s Instagram account.
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By Carsen Holaday
Family shares statement on fundraiser page, continued
The statement continues: "She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured.
"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.
"ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom.
"Thank y’all so very much!" the statement concludes.
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By Carsen Holaday
Family shares statement on fundraiser page
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, has shared a statement asking the gymnast's fans for support as the icon "fights for her life" in the hospital.
"Hey everyone! On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help," McKenna wrote.
"My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life.
"She is not able to breathe on her own," she added.
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By Carsen Holaday
Mary Lou Retton's time on DWTS
The Olympic gymnast competed in Dancing with the Stars in 2018 on Season 27.
Mary Lou Retton was paired with Sasha Farber and the duo finished in ninth place.
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By Carsen Holaday
Retton divorced in 2018
As of October 2023, Mary Lou Retton is not married.
However, she was married to her husband of 27 years, Shannon Kelley.
Shannon Kelley is a former University of Texas quarterback.
Additionally, Shannon worked in real estate before finding a career at the Houston Baptist University athletic department.
The two got married in 1990 and filed for divorce in February 2018.
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By Carsen Holaday
About Mary Lou Retton’s daughters, concluded
While Skyla isn't involved in collegiate gymnastics, the Olympian's daughter pursued cheerleading.
Lastly, Emma is on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas.
In 2016, Emma finished fourth place at the Texas State Championship.
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By Carsen Holaday
About Mary Lou Retton's daughters, continued
Mary's second daughter McKenna was on the gymnastics team while studying at Louisiana State University.
While studying, she competed in the NCAA Team Finals.
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By Carsen Holaday
About Mary Lou Retton's daughters
Like their mother, Mary Lou Retton's daughters have all been involved in gymnastics or sports since they were young.
While studying at Baylor University in 2017, Shayla was also on the university's tumbling and acrobatics team.
While in the sport, Shayla won a National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association Individual Championship.
Mary Lou Retton has four daughtersCredit: Instagram -
By Carsen Holaday
What to know about Mary Lou Retton's family
Mary Lou Retton had four daughters while married to Shannon Kelley.
Her daughters are Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma.
The gymnast divorced her husband in 2018.
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By Carsen Holaday
Mary Lou Retton made history
While she was a sophomore in high school, Mary Lou Retton competed in the 1984 Summer Olympic Games where she took home a gold medal in the individual all-around competition.
This win made Mary the first American woman to win a gold medal in the category.
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