The gold medal-winning Olympian is still being intensively monitored by doctors following a setback after previously making a progress amid hospitalization.
- Oct 20, 2023
AceShowbiz - Mary Lou Retton has experienced a "scary setback" in her recovery from pneumonia. The Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast was in a critical condition after being struck down by a "very rare" form of the condition earlier this month, and though over the weekend, her daughters revealed she was making progress, her family have shared a new update in which they explained the sporting legend was still in intensive care.
"Basically at the beginning of this week we were going on the up and up. We were so excited, seeing so much progress and then yesterday we had a pretty scary setback. She is still in ICU and we're just working through some things as far as her setback goes. So I just wanted to give an update there," Mary Lou's daughter Shayla Schrepfer said in a video shared to Instagram.
The bodybuilder went on to tell followers her mother had had a "better day" but she is still "really, really exhausted." She concluded by expressing her gratitude for the supportive messages they have received. She said, "I'm getting so many messages and emails and just, it's so great to see people love on her, so… that's it."
The latest update came just four days after Mary Lou's other daughter, McKenna Kelley, said she'd been making "remarkable" progress. In an Instagram message, McKenna wrote, "We're thrilled to share some uplifting updates."
"Mom's progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered. Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. Her fighting spirit is truly shining! Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing."
Mary Lou, 55, made history at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles when she became the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around competition. She also claimed two silver and two bronze medals at the same Games.
She retired from gymnastics in 1986 and went on to land cameo roles in a number of movies including "Scrooged" and "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" as well as TV shows such as "Glee" and "Baywatch". Mary Lou also took part on the TV talent show "Dancing With the Stars" in 2018 and came in ninth place.
