Posted on 10/10/2023 5:30:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Retton, who won the Olympic individual all-around gold medal at the 1984 games, is battling a "very rare form of pneumonia," her daughter wrote on a fundraising page.
Mary Lou Retton, a former Olympic gymnast, is “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, her daughter McKenna Kelley said.
Kelley shared the news on her Instagram Story Tuesday as well as a link to a Spotfund page dedicated to her mom.
In a message on the fundraising page, Retton’s daughters 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’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.”
She added, “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.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Spotfund page had raised nearly $37,000 of a $50,000 goal.
Retton made history at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles when she became the first American to win an Olympic individual all-around gold medal. She also secured a silver medal for vault, bronze medals for uneven bars and floor, as well as another silver medal in the team event.
She injured her knee while rehearsing a floor routine just weeks before the 1984 Olympics and had to undergo surgery, but she managed to recover in time for the games.
The following year was another busy one for the former athlete as she was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. She also won the American Cup all-around competition for the third and final time that year before retiring from the sport in 1986.
Following retirement and being named Sports Illustrated’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1984, Retton went on to work in television and be a motivational speaker. She was also the first woman to be on the front of a Wheaties cereal box.
The retired gymnast eventually made her way to Hollywood, appearing in films like Scrooged and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, as well as appearing in several commercials. She also competed on season 27 of Dancing with the Stars.
Several years later, in 1997, Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame as well.
bttt
She is made of strong stuff. Remember her on that last vault with a sprained ankle.
Prayers for this champion. She’s a great American.
That wasn’t her.
How the hell is Mary Lou Retton not insured? Her net worth is pegged as anywhere between $6-$8M.
Kerri Strug. Same coach though.
I think that was Kerri Strug. Maybe it happened to Mary Lou Retton, but I don’t remember that. But I don’t watch a lot of gymnastics.
She was amazingly talented. Prayers for a full recovery.
The picture posted though she looks a bit like Corporal Klinger, unfortunately
No insurance. smh
Thanks,prayers for her recovery.
“Very rare form of pneumonia.”
“Safe and effective.”
Thanks, ACA. (Obamacare)
No she does not. Are your glasses in the shop?
Rush Limbaugh always noted that he did not carry health insurance. He paid him medical expenses from his own pocket sadly costs greatly escalated for the last years of his life.
That’s right Bear Corroli was her coach. That sports doctors was already abusing the girls on the team.
I just saw her in a TV commercial last night. Always like her.
She was a great gymnast and she represented the U.S. well. Always appeared to be enjoying her craft with her million dollar smile.
I agree, not a great look in that pic.
Hope she recovers quickly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.