Who is Mary Lou Retton and what illness is she battling?
MARY Lou Retton is one of the most popular gymnasts in the United States having competed in the sporting event at just 16 years old.
However, in October 2023, fans were concerned for the gold medalist's well-being as she was hospitalized — here's all we know.
Who is gymnast Mary Lou Retton?
Mary Lou Retton is a retired gymnast who was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia.
She began her career at an early age but it was not until 1983 that she burst onto the gymnastics scene.
Retton gained recognition that year after winning the American Cup - a feat she achieved again in 1984 and 1985.
In 1984, she represented Team USA at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
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Her face ended up on the cover of Wheaties cereal and she went on to work in television after retiring in September 1986.
In 2018, she was a contestant on the 27th season of Dancing With The Stars, finishing in ninth place with partner with Sasha Farber.
What illness is Mary Lou Retton battling?
Since retiring from gymnastics, Retton has lived a quiet life, however, she made headlines in October 2023 after it was revealed that she had been hospitalized after reportedly battling a rare form of pneumonia.
The news was revealed by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, on Instagram.
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"Please help my mom continue to fight," Kelley said in her post, which included a link to a SpotFund account that was made to help with medical costs, according to TMZ Sports.
However, after weeks of treatment, Kelley revealed via Instagram that the former gymnast made it home and is continuing to recover as she's still battling with the sickness.
"Mom is HOME & in recovery mode," she wrote.
"We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps," she continued.
On October 30, 2023, Retton took to the social media app to personally update her fans.
The Olympian wrote: "I'm beyond blessed to have the opportunity to make this statement. I am overwhelmed with all the love and support from the world as I fight. I am forever grateful to you all!
"I'm with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process."
Did Mary Lou Retton win the Olympic gold medal?
Just weeks before the 1984 Olympics, Retton injured her knee and had to have emergency surgery.
Many believed that the injury would prevent her from competing, however, she recovered in time and went on to make history.
At the Los Angeles Olympics, 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.
“I can’t describe how I felt,” Retton recalled, via the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
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“I had goosebumps going up and down me. I knew from the takeoff, I knew from the run – I just knew it.”
Retton's performance at the Olympics helped her get inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.