“At one point, they were on the verge of placing me on life support,” mentioned the ex-Olympian, discussing the uncommon pneumonia that led to her hospitalization last autumn.
After being hospitalized in the ICU due to an uncommon type of pneumonia last autumn, Mary Lou Retton, the former Olympian, is finally addressing the harrowing medical ordeal that had her ‘battling for her life.’
In a sneak peek of an upcoming interview on the Today show with Hoda Kotb, which aired during Sunday Today with Willie Geist, the 55-year-old Mary Lou discussed her ongoing recovery. (The full interview airs on Monday morning’s Today show.)
She initially revealed her current reliance on oxygen, seated beside her daughter Shayla Kelley, who supported her with a breathing apparatus. Mary Lou acknowledged being in a ‘very vulnerable state,’ as indicated by Kotb, 59, and admitted, ‘I’m typically a very private person.
‘Usually, my interviews revolve around celebratory moments like winning the Olympics,’ she elaborated. ‘But this is different; this is about life and it’s serious. I feel incredibly fortunate to still be here. I am grateful beyond words because, at one point, they were on the verge of placing me on life support.’
Iconic Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is on the mend after a life-threatening health scare with a rare form of pneumonia in the fall. Now, with her daughter by her side, Retton sat down exclusively with @HodaKotb, to talk about how she's recovering. #SundayTODAY pic.twitter.com/KYAkYX6578
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 7, 2024
Details about Mary Lou’s health struggle surfaced in October, initiated by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, who disclosed that her mother was admitted to a hospital in the Houston area.
In a message on a Spotfund fundraising page established for Retton’s medical costs, McKenna, 26, expressed, ‘My extraordinary mom, Mary Lou, is contending with a highly uncommon type of pneumonia and is in a critical condition.’ She also disclosed that their mother ‘lacks insurance.’
“Mary Lou’s eldest daughter, Shayla, 28, emphasized that their family’s primary concern was ‘the welfare of our mom’ in a statement provided to PEOPLE.
Initially, during Mary Lou’s hospitalization, her family was ‘encouraged’ by the strides made by the former Olympic champion. Nevertheless, Shayla later disclosed that the gymnast’s journey toward recovery had encountered unexpected challenges.
“We were genuinely encouraged by the significant progress until yesterday when we encountered a rather alarming setback. She remains in the ICU, and we’re navigating through some issues related to this setback. I just wanted to offer an update on that,” she conveyed, slightly over a week after Mary Lou’s health issues came to light.
Following an extended stay, Mary Lou was discharged from the hospital in Texas, as confirmed by McKenna on Instagram, announcing that their mother had returned ‘HOME & is in the process of recuperation.’ She remarked, ‘We still have a lengthy path to recovery ahead, but progress is being made, one step at a time.’
Nearly a week later, Mary Lou provided her initial official health update and progress in recovery. “I’m surrounded by family, gradually recuperating, and maintaining a positive outlook, understanding that this recovery demands patience and time,” she shared on Instagram.
Though she refrained from delving further into the specifics of her hospitalization, she expressed, “When the time is appropriate, I intend to share more details about my health challenges.”
Mary Lou also expressed her aspiration to eventually “support others confronting similar battles as mine.
Since then, Mary Lou has offered only a handful of updates during the holidays, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram for Thanksgiving and another on Christmas.
“As we gather to mark this Thanksgiving, my heart swells with immense gratitude. I want to convey how genuinely blessed and appreciative I am for the gradual improvement in my health and for being reunited with my daughters, especially following my hospitalization,” she wrote alongside a series of photos featuring her and her family.
Mary Lou continued, “The unwavering love and support from my four remarkable daughters have been a wellspring of resilience and motivation throughout my journey. Their presence in my life exemplifies the extraordinary strength of family ties.
