The legendary gold medal won by American gymnast Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Summer Olympics changed the course of history. She became an international sensation when she became the first American woman to win both the individual gymnastics Olympic medal and the all-around gold. In addition to her outstanding sporting accomplishments, let’s explore Mary Lou Retton’s wealth and her motivational life story.
Mary Lou Retton Net Worth
Mary Lou Retton boasts a net worth of $2 million, a testament to her enduring legacy as a gymnastics icon and a successful career beyond the sport.
Mary Lou Retton Early Life and Gymnastics Aspiration
Mary Lou Retton, who was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia, displayed her talent for gymnastics at a young age. Her journey wasn’t without difficulties, though. Her hip dysplasia, which was present at birth, was made worse by the demanding gymnastics training.
Her family moved to Houston so she could train under renowned instructors Bela and Marta Karolyi, the same role models who helped Nadia Comaneci achieve success, after being inspired by Comaneci’s performance in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Mary Lou Retton Gymnastics Career
The Karolyis were Mary Lou Retton’s coaches, and they helped her gymnastics career soar. When she was only 15 years old, she won the American Cup in 1983. She remained unwavering despite coming in second at the US Nationals. She was sadly unable to compete in the World Gymnastics Championships due to a wrist injury.
Retton’s path to Olympic glory faced another challenge when she injured her knee, requiring surgery just five weeks before the 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles. The pressure was immense, given the event’s significance as the first Olympics in the United States in over half a century. Nevertheless, Mary Lou overcame the odds, displaying a remarkable recovery and readiness to compete.
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The 1984 Summer Olympics Triumph
The 1984 Summer Olympics presented a captivating showdown, as the Soviet bloc nations, excluding Romania, boycotted the event, paving the way for a captivating battle between Mary Lou Retton and Romanian gymnast Ecaterina Szabo.
Initially trailing Szabo, Retton’s incredible performance on the vault and in the floor exercise, with perfect scores of 10, secured her the all-around gold medal by a mere 0.05 points. This historic win made her the first American woman to earn the individual all-around gold and an Olympic all-around champion.
In addition to her all-around gold, Mary Lou Retton collected two silver and two bronze medals, cementing her legacy as one of the most exceptional gymnasts in the sport’s history.
Mary Lou Retton Life Beyond Gymnastics
Mary Lou Retton didn’t limit her impact to the gymnastics floor. She continued her association with the sport, winning the American Cup all-around competition in 1985 for the third time. In 1986, she made the decision to retire from gymnastics at the age of 18.
After retiring, Retton embarked on a successful career as a spokesperson and made notable appearances in advertisements. She became the face of Wheaties cereal and supported various brands.
Mary Lou Retton Involvement in Politics
Mary Lou Retton also delved into the world of politics, publicly supporting the Reagan administration. Her advocacy included appearing in television ads in support of President Ronald Reagan’s reelection campaign.
She continued to be involved in conservative politics in the following years and even participated in the 2004 Republican National Convention, where she delivered the Pledge of Allegiance alongside fellow gymnast Kerri Strug.
Mary Lou Retton on the Screen
Beyond her endorsements, Retton made cameo appearances in films and TV shows, including “Scrooged,” “Naked Gun 33+ 1/3: Final Insult,” “Knots Landing,” and “Baywatch.” In 2018, she showcased her dancing talents by participating in the 27th season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
You can read more about Mary Lou here:
- Mary Lou Retton’s Children’s Daughters Continue Her Athletic Tradition
- Olympic Star Mary Lou Retton Battles Pneumonia Without Health Insurance
Mary Lou Retton Personal Life
The personal life of Mary Lou Retton has had its fair share of development. She continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin after her gymnastics career. She moved about over the years, but in 2012 she came back to Houston, where she later married real estate developer and ex-University of Texas quarterback Shannon Kelley. They have four daughters together, named Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma. Sadly, Mary Lou and Shannon eventually got divorced in 2018.
