Mary Lou Retton ‘Fighting for Her Life’ Due to Pneumonia, Daughter Says

The gymnastics icon won five gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

U.S. gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton is “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit, according to her daughter McKenna Kelley’s Instagram story.

Retton was admitted to the hospital with “a very rare form of pneumonia,” per Kelley’s post on Tuesday afternoon. She added that her mother “is not able to breathe on her own” and has been in the ICU for over a week, ending her story with a plea for prayers.

Retton, 55, won five medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, including a gold medal in the individual all-around competition—the first in history by an American woman. For her efforts, she was named SI’s Sportsperson of the Year.

Mary Lou Retton, one of the greatest names in U.S. Olympic history, “has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” according to her daughter McKenna Kelley’s Instagram story. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now.” pic.twitter.com/9LnwOJNP1J

— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) October 10, 2023

After her gymnastics career, she remained active in media, appearing in several films and TV shows. In addition to several Olympic and gymnastics ambassador roles, she also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under President George W. Bush.