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Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has bravely fought against a debilitating and rare illness, as disclosed by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, in early October 2023. Throughout this challenging battle with pneumonia, updates were continually provided by her daughters and her previous Dancing With the Stars partner, Sasha Farber, keeping fans informed on her health journey and struggles.

Approximately two months into her struggle with pneumonia, Mary Lou began to share her experiences and feelings regarding this harrowing ordeal in an interview with Today in January 2024. She expressed profound gratitude for her life, emphasizing, “I’m so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here, because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support,” showcasing her resilience and the severity of her health crisis.

One year later, Mary Lou faced an entirely different challenge, this time involving legal troubles: a DUI incident. This unexpected turn of events added to her complex life narrative.

To delve deeper into the details of Mary Lou’s health journey and experiences, continue reading for more insights.

Discover the Life and Achievements of Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton is celebrated as one of the most esteemed gymnasts in U.S. history. Earning the affectionate moniker “America’s Sweetheart” during the 1980s, this West Virginia native achieved remarkable success by winning the gold medal in the women’s individual all-around competition at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Additionally, she secured two silver and two bronze medals, making her the first female American gymnast to triumph in the Olympic all-around event.

Two years after her monumental Olympic success, Mary Lou retired from gymnastics. However, she continued to capture the public’s attention by appearing in various films, including Scrooged, and making guest appearances on popular television shows like Baywatch and Glee. In 2018, she showcased her dance skills on Dancing With the Stars, partnered with Sasha Farber, further enriching her already illustrious career.

Understanding Mary Lou Retton’s Rare Pneumonia Diagnosis

In a heartfelt plea, Mary’s daughter, McKenna, took to her Instagram Stories to request financial assistance for her mother’s hospital stay. She revealed that the former Olympian was facing overwhelming medical challenges without health insurance, highlighting a pressing issue that many people encounter in healthcare today.

“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” McKenna shared, along with a link to their SpotFund campaign. She elaborated, “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 is not insured,” emphasizing the gravity of her mother’s condition.

McKenna continued, “We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could assist us with finances for the hospital bill. ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank you all so very much!” This heartfelt message resonated with many, showcasing the power of community support during times of crisis.

Current Updates on Mary Lou Retton’s Health Condition

During a previous discussion with Entertainment Tonight, Sasha Farber revealed that he has maintained communication with Mary Lou, providing support during her health struggles.

“I’ve been talking to her today, and she’s fighting,” Sasha noted. He also mentioned that Mary has expressed moments of wanting to give up, but he is encouraging her by sending videos of her dancing and reminding her, “There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!” This supportive friendship has been crucial in her journey.

The professional dancer reminisced about a recent interaction with Mary, stating, “She was in L.A. [a few weeks] ago, and she wanted to meet up, [but] I had rehearsals, and I couldn’t. She was like, ‘Let me take you out for dinner,’ and I couldn’t go because I had rehearsals.” This highlights the strong bond they share, even amidst challenging circumstances.

Despite his concerns, Sasha confidently asserted that the gold medalist is “a fighter” and is “going to be great,” showcasing his unwavering belief in Mary’s strength and resilience.

“I know her very well, and she’s like family to me, and she’s a fighter. She’s strong,” Sasha concluded, emphasizing the importance of support systems during difficult times.

On October 14, Mary Lou’s daughters provided another encouraging update via social media, stating, “We’re thrilled to share some uplifting updates! Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered,” showcasing the impact of communal support on her recovery journey.

“Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. Her fighting spirit is truly shining! Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing,” they shared. “Though it’s a lengthy journey, witnessing these improvements is incredibly heartening! She’s responding so well to treatments. Once more, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming love and support,” indicating a positive shift in her health.

Shayla shared another health update on her mom in an Instagram post on Wednesday, October 18. Although it appeared that Mary was improving, she noted that her mom faced some setbacks earlier in the week. “At the beginning of this week, we were going on the up-and-up. We were so excited, seeing so much progress, and then yesterday, we had a pretty scary setback. She is still in ICU, and we’re just working through some things as far as her setback goes,” she explained.

Still, Shayla expressed optimism, stating that her mom was tired but doing a little better on Wednesday than earlier in the week. “She had a better day today, which is great,” Shayla mentioned. “She is really exhausted,” revealing the emotional toll the situation has taken on the family.

On Monday, October 23, McKenna posted a hopeful update, indicating that Mary Lou has finally returned home. “Mom is HOME & in recovery mode,” she wrote in part in the statement. “We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps. We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone. Grateful doesn’t scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts,” showcasing the family’s deep appreciation for community support.

Mary eventually broke her silence on her health ordeal in a statement shared via Instagram.

“I’m beyond blessed to have the opportunity to make this statement,” the former athlete began. “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,” illustrating her optimistic outlook despite the challenges.

Mary concluded her statement by noting, “When the time is right, I will be sharing more information about my health issues, and hope I can help others who may face the same battle as me. I love you all,” emphasizing her desire to use her experience to help others.

In the January 2024 Today interview, Mary opened up about the terrifying nature of her health crisis, explaining the reason behind the need for a fundraiser due to her inability to cover healthcare costs. “When COVID hit and after my divorce, and all my pre-existing — I’ve had over 30 operations of orthopedic stuff — I couldn’t afford [insurance],” she revealed. “But who would even know that this was going to happen to me? That’s the bottom line, I couldn’t afford it,” shedding light on significant issues surrounding healthcare accessibility.

McKenna also shared that the family raised over $400,000 during the crowdfunding effort in an interview with USA Today. She explained their reasoning behind the fundraiser, stating, “This was not supposed to be a big media thing. … We didn’t even think about what this would turn into. It was simply four daughters who felt helpless who wanted to help their mom who knew that this would help take a burden off,” and acknowledged that any leftover funds would be donated to charity, showcasing their commitment to giving back.

Mary Lou Retton’s Legal Troubles: DUI Incident

In May 2025, Mary Lou was arrested in West Virginia on a charge of “driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties,” as reported by People. The news outlet indicated that the former gymnast was issued a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, which she promptly posted on the same day it was issued, marking a significant moment in her life journey.