Mary Lou Retton Opens Up About Her Life-Threatening Battle with Pneumonia

Former US Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton has spoken out about her battle with a rare form of pneumonia, expressing gratitude for being alive. In her first interview since her hospitalization last October, Retton reflected on facing death and the hope she now has for the future. Retton made history in 1984 as the first American woman to win the all-around gold in gymnastics. Despite her recovery, Retton remains uncertain about potential lasting effects on her health. She mentioned that her illness still holds some unanswered questions. Known as "America's Sweetheart" after her Olympic success, Retton has had a prominent career in gymnastics and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. Currently, she relies on a nasal oxygen tube to breathe but is determined not to give up. Retton acknowledged the difficulty of discussing her health publicly, as she is a private person. It was revealed in early October that the gymnast had been battling pneumonia, and her daughter launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover medical expenses. Despite raising $460,000 prior to her discharge, Retton discussed the financial challenges she faced, particularly after a divorce in 2018 and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. News of Retton's health scare garnered immense support from people across the country.