Mary Lou Retton Gives Health Update Following Hospitalization With Pneumonia

Mary Lou Retton just took a big step when it comes to her recovery from pneumonia. McKenna Kelley, Retton’s daughter, went on Instagram to announce that her mother is out of the hospital. But Kelley pointed out that the five-time Olympic medalist still has a long way to go in terms of being 100 percent healthy.  

“Mom is HOME & in recovery mode,” Kelley said in the Instagram post. “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. Thank you Jesus, thank you doctors & nurses, thank you to this loving community of support.”

The new update comes days after Retton’s oldest daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, announced that her mother suffered a “pretty scary setback” while she was in ICU. “We were so excited, seeing so much progress, and then yesterday we had a pretty scary setback,” Schrepfer said on Thursday. “She is still in ICU, and we’re just working through some things as far as her setback goes.”

Retton’s daughters announced on Oct. 10 that the gymnastics legend was hospitalized and “fighting for her life” while battling a rare form of pneumonia. They launched a Spot Fund page to support Retton’s medical expenses. The goal was to raise $50,000, but Retton fans showed their support in a big way, as the crowdfunding effort has reached over $360,000. 

In 2018, Retton, 55 competed on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars. Last week, Retton’s DWTS partner Sasha Farber gave an update on Retton. “I’ve been talking to her today and she’s fighting,” Farber said.  “She kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, ‘There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!’”

Retton won her five Olympic medals during the 1984 games in Los Angeles. She won one gold medal, which came during the all-around event, and Retton became the first American Woman to win the all-around gold medal. Retton’s performance during the Olympics led to her being named Sportswoman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and appeared on the Wheaties box, becoming the cereal’s first official spokeswoman.