United States Olympic team and gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton is reportedly “fighting for her life” in a battle with a rare form of pneumonia.
During the 1980s some of the most well-known sports figures in the US included San Francisco 49ers superstar Joe Montana and Detroit Tigers great Kirk Gibson. However, to many Americans, there was no bigger name than gymnast Mary Lou Retton.
The pint-size athlete became the star of the US Olympic team during the 1984 Summer Games when she rose to global notoriety as she brought back the gold for the women’s all-around. However, the sports legend is currently facing the greatest challenge of her life as she battles “a very rare form” of pneumonia.
On Tuesday, the 55-year-old’s daughter McKenna Kelley revealed on social media that her mother was currently “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit of a Texas hospital due to pneumonia. Kelley has started a funding campaign to help the family pay for medical expenses since Retton allegedly does not have health insurance.
Campaign to pay for Mary Lou Retton’s medical expenses has surpassed $184,000
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” Kelley wrote on the Spot Fund page. “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.”
As of Wednesday morning, the page has earned over $184,000. Well surpassing the original goal of $50,000.
Mary Lou Retton was just 16 years old when she captured the hearts and minds of Americans when she became the first US athlete, man or woman, to win a gold medal in gymnastics. The native of Fairmont, West Virginia, had a legendary performance at the 1984 games when she scored two perfect 10s to win the top prize in the all-around competition.
Yet that was not the only medal she won in Los Angeles that year. She actually took home five in total, including two silvers and two bronzes.