Mary Lou Retton wins gold at the 1984 Olympics.Photo:Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Mary Lou Retton vaulted into the spotlight in the 1980s, bringing the focus on gymnastics back to America and winning five medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles in the process.The gymnast — now 55 and “fighting for her life” in the ICU with “a very rare form of pneumonia,” asher daughters shared on Tuesday— made history as the first American to win an individual all-around gold medal, making her an instant star and the first gymnast to be featured on a Wheaties box.Here, 10 stunning photos from Retton’s history-making turn at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Mary Lou Retton vaulted into the spotlight in the 1980s, bringing the focus on gymnastics back to America and winning five medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles in the process.
The gymnast — now 55 and “fighting for her life” in the ICU with “a very rare form of pneumonia,” asher daughters shared on Tuesday— made history as the first American to win an individual all-around gold medal, making her an instant star and the first gymnast to be featured on a Wheaties box.
Here, 10 stunning photos from Retton’s history-making turn at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
01of 09Quick StudyMary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesOne of five children born to Lois and Ronnie Retton of Fairmont, West Virginia, Mary Lou began gymnastics at age 7. Her older sister Shari was also a gymnast.After crossing paths with notorious gymnastics coach Béla Károlyi, Retton moved to Houston to train full-time in 1983 — and the rest is history.
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Quick Study
Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
One of five children born to Lois and Ronnie Retton of Fairmont, West Virginia, Mary Lou began gymnastics at age 7. Her older sister Shari was also a gymnast.
After crossing paths with notorious gymnastics coach Béla Károlyi, Retton moved to Houston to train full-time in 1983 — and the rest is history.
02of 09Up in the AirMary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesA 1983 PEOPLE profile of Retton said vault was her “best routine”; she would “handspring over the horse, then, uncorked, twist twice in the air before landing.” She won silver in the event at the 1984 Olympics.
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Up in the Air
Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
A 1983 PEOPLE profile of Retton said vault was her “best routine”; she would “handspring over the horse, then, uncorked, twist twice in the air before landing.” She won silver in the event at the 1984 Olympics.
03of 09Flying HighMary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.David Madison/Getty ImagesRetton won bronze for her work on the uneven bars at the 1984 Olympics. That year, theNew York Timesdubbed one of her signature moves the “Retton Flip”: “It begins when she swings down from the high bar and slams her hips into the low bar, going immediately into a front flip that ends when she lands in a seated position on the [high bar],“the publication shared.
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Flying High
Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.David Madison/Getty Images
David Madison/Getty Images
Retton won bronze for her work on the uneven bars at the 1984 Olympics. That year, theNew York Timesdubbed one of her signature moves the “Retton Flip”: “It begins when she swings down from the high bar and slams her hips into the low bar, going immediately into a front flip that ends when she lands in a seated position on the [high bar],“the publication shared.
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Golden Girl
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Heavy Medal
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Famous Face
According to a PEOPLE profile that year,Advertising Agehad called the marketing of the star “the most successful in sports history.”
07of 09Finding BalanceMary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesIn 1990, Retton married Shannon Kelley. Speaking to PEOPLE weeks later, the former University of Texas quarterback said that “when I first saw Mary Lou on television, I told my mom I had the strangest feeling that someday I would meet her and we would get married.‘‘It happened, and in their 27 years together, the two had four daughters,three of whom pursued gymnastics, too.While competing onDancing with the Starsin 2018, Retton revealed she and Kelleyhad quietly finalized their divorce earlier that year.
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Finding Balance
Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
In 1990, Retton married Shannon Kelley. Speaking to PEOPLE weeks later, the former University of Texas quarterback said that “when I first saw Mary Lou on television, I told my mom I had the strangest feeling that someday I would meet her and we would get married.’’
It happened, and in their 27 years together, the two had four daughters,three of whom pursued gymnastics, too.
While competing onDancing with the Starsin 2018, Retton revealed she and Kelleyhad quietly finalized their divorce earlier that year.
08of 09Sharing StoriesMary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesBy 1991, Retton told PEOPLE she was following a new career path, giving motivational speeches around the United States.“I tell people how to leave the comfort zone and meet life’s challenges,” she said.
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Sharing Stories
By 1991, Retton told PEOPLE she was following a new career path, giving motivational speeches around the United States.
“I tell people how to leave the comfort zone and meet life’s challenges,” she said.
09of 09The Story ContinuesMary Lou Retton wins gold at the 1984 Olympics.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesRetton has remained a champion for the women who’ve followed in her footsteps, likeCarly PattersonandSimone Biles. “She is the greatest gymnast ever,“Retton told PEOPLEin 2016. “I really do think that.”
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The Story Continues
Mary Lou Retton wins gold at the 1984 Olympics.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Retton has remained a champion for the women who’ve followed in her footsteps, likeCarly PattersonandSimone Biles. “She is the greatest gymnast ever,“Retton told PEOPLEin 2016. “I really do think that.”
source: people.com
