Mary Lou Retton’s life story: her fight for recovery..

Mary Lou Retton, a key figure in American gymnastics, made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics when she won gold medals on floor and vault, earning her a place in American sports history. Retton later appeared on a Wheaties box and was named Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year..

Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelly, recently shared on Instagram that her mother was “fighting for her life in the ICU” with a rare form of pneumonia. The illness left Retton unable to breathe on her own. She was cared for by dedicated medical staff for more than a week.

Kelly revealed that Retton had no insurance, leading to mounting hospital bills. To help ease the financial burden, Kelly set up a fund and asked for “prayers and financial donations.”

Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986, but remained in the spotlight with guest appearances on shows like Glee, Baywatch, and Dancing with the Stars. She was also inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.