Mary Lou Retton — an Olympic gold-winning gymnast – is currently fighting for her life in the ICU … this according to her daughter, who says her mom is battling a rare form of pneumonia.
McKenna Kelley shared the sad news on Tuesday via her Instagram story with a photo of a SpotFund account that she started for Retton’s medical costs.
“Please help my mom continue to fight,” Kelley said in the post.
The fundraiser says the 55-year-old former athlete is unable to breathe on her own due to the rare form of pneumonia.
“Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details,” Keller said on the page. “However, I will disclose that she not insured.”
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.”
Kelley added, “ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!”
The fundraiser has a goal of $50k and as of Tuesday, over 79 donors have contributed.
“If anyone can WIN we know it’s YOU! GEAUX MARYLOU!” one fan said on the page. “We are praying hard for you from La!”
Retton was a massive star in gymnastics … in fact, she made history as the first American woman to win the all-around gold in the 1984 Olympics. She also won two silvers and bronzes that same year.
After retiring, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and was the first woman to be selected into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Her hometown of Fairmont West Virginia named a road and park in her honor. She also made a couple of appearances in movies and TV shows, including “Baywatch.”