Mary Lou Retton, the beloved Olympic champion who inspired a generation with her gold-medal triumph in 1984, faced a far more daunting battle in October 2023. The 55-year-old gymnastics icon was hospitalized with severe pneumonia and placed in the ICU, fighting to breathe.
Fans were stunned to learn—through her daughter, McKenna Kelley—that Retton had no health insurance to cover the life-saving treatment she urgently needed. A fundraising campaign was launched, and supporters rallied immediately, remembering the young athlete who once electrified the world with her historic all-around gold and unforgettable spirit.
Retton’s medical crisis reignited national conversations about healthcare, while also reminding millions why she remains one of America’s most cherished sports heroes.
