Celebrated American gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, who is renowned for her exceptional gymnastic performances, achieved global recognition, particularly during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Her defining moment occurred when she etched her name in history as the first American woman to clinch the all-around gold medal in gymnastics.
Beyond her career success, the 55-year-old athlete battled a rare form of pneumonia, which led to her hospitalization in 2023. In a recent interview, Retton and her daughter openly shared the intricate details of her struggles with the life-threatening disease, particularly during the period when she faced the stark reality of death.
Mary Lou Retton’s daughters thought their mom would not survive her health struggles
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While speaking on Today with Hoda Kotb, the gymnast and her daughter, Shayla, reminisced on the heartbreaking news they got from the medical team about the probability of Retton not surviving the night.
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“McKenna and I put our hands on her, and we said a prayer. It was crazy,” Shayla told the show host. “I just remember loving on you and giving you a hug, and McKenna kept saying things like ‘it’s OK, you can go.’”
Retton’s daughter started a GoFundMe to cover their mom’s health expenses
Despite her notable athletic accomplishments, Retton found herself facing financial difficulties without health insurance when she fell seriously ill. Her daughters came to her rescue and initiated a GoFundMe campaign. “We were just thinking,” Shayla confessed, “if she pulls through, the last thing we want her to have to think about is paying off these bills or doing anything like that.”
Retton, who is still in recovery, is grateful for life as she took to her Instagram page during the last Thanksgiving to share details about her health. “As we gather to celebrate this Thanksgiving, my heart is overflowing with profound gratitude,” she wrote. “I want to express how truly blessed and thankful I am to be slowly improving and to be home with my girls, especially after my time in the hospital.”