Mary Lou Retton | Biography, Medals, Olympics, Health, & .
Mary Lou Retton (born January 24, 1968) is an American retired gymnast. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the individual all-around competition, as well as two silver medals and two bronze medals.
Here we have Mary Lou Retton’s net worth, earnings, career overview, personal details, achievements, and more.
About Mary Lou Retton
Early Life
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. She is the youngest of five children in her family. Her father, Ronnie Retton, operated a coal-industry transportation equipment business and was a notable athlete himself, having led the West Virginia University basketball team to the 1959 NCAA final.
Mary Lou’s early interest in gymnastics was sparked by watching Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Olympics, which led her to start gymnastics training at the age of 7.
Rise to Fame in Gymnastics
Retton’s gymnastics career began to take shape when she moved to Houston, Texas, to train with Bela and Marta Karolyi, who had previously coached Nadia Comaneci. Under their guidance, Retton quickly rose to prominence in the United States, winning the American Cup in 1983 and placing second at the US Nationals that same year.
Despite missing the World Gymnastics Championships in 1983 due to a wrist injury, she won the American Classic in 1983 and 1984, as well as Japan’s Chunichi Cup in 1983.
Her success continued as she won her second American Cup, the U.S. Nationals, and the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984.
Olympic Triumph and Legacy
Retton’s most significant achievement came at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the individual all-around competition in gymnastics.
She also won two silver medals and two bronze medals during these games. Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the United States.
Retton’s Olympic success was even more remarkable considering she had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery just six weeks before the Olympics.
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She delivered a historic performance, including perfect scores in her final two events (the floor exercise and vault) to win the all-around gold.
Post-Olympic Career and Contributions
After her Olympic success, Retton retired from competition in 1986. She became a motivational speaker, and television commentator, and occasionally acted, appearing in TV shows like “Knots Landing” and “Baywatch,” as well as films such as “Scrooged” and “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.”
In 2018, she was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars”.
Retton has been inducted into various halls of fame, including the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985. She was also the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in January 2020.
Mary Lou Retton’s Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2024, Mary Lou Retton’s net worth is $2 million.
She has had a net worth that has been a topic of discussion, especially following her recent health challenges.
Retton’s financial situation came into the spotlight when she was hospitalized in October 2023 with a rare form of pneumonia. The severity of her condition led to her family crowdfunding to cover her medical expenses, raising more than $459,000.
This situation raised questions about her insurance status and overall financial health, as many were surprised that an athlete of her stature would face such challenges.
Endorsements
Throughout her career, Retton earned significant income from endorsements and public appearances. After her historic win at the 1984 Olympics, where she became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics, she secured numerous endorsement deals.
She was featured on the Wheaties cereal box, becoming the brand’s first spokeswoman, and also appeared in advertisements for brands like Energizer batteries, Purex detergent, and Revco drugstores.
Additionally, Retton has been involved in motivational speaking, which has contributed to her income.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Mary Lou Retton |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Fairmont, West Virginia, USA |
| Olympic Achievements | Gold medalist in the individual all-around at the 1984 Summer Olympics |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Shannon Kelley in 2018 after 27 years of marriage |
| Children | Four daughters: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma |
| Daughters’ Involvement in Sports | Shayla was on the tumbling and acrobatics team at Baylor University; McKenna was on the gymnastics team at Louisiana State University; Skyla pursued cheerleading; Emma is on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas |
Family
Shannon Kelley, a former University of Texas quarterback and Houston real estate developer, married Mary Lou Retton in 1990. The couple divorced in 2018 after 27 years of marriage.
Age
Born on January 24, 1968, she is 56 years old.
Achievements
1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles:
Retton won a total of five medals, making her the athlete with the most medals at those games.
1984 U.S. National Championships:
Retton won first place in the vault, floor exercise, and all-around events.
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