Age, Biography and Wiki
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. She began her gymnastics training at a young age and rose to fame after becoming the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This achievement cemented her place in U.S. Olympic history.
| Occupation | Republicans |
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| Date of Birth | 24 January 1968 |
| Age | 57 Years |
| Birth Place | Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements are not widely detailed, Mary Lou Retton is known for her athletic build, which was crucial during her gymnastics career.
| Height | 4 ft 9 in |
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Dating & Relationship Status
Retton was married to Shannon Kelley from 1990 to 2018. They have four daughters together: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma.
Her father, Ronnie, operated a coal-industry transportation equipment business. She attended Fairmont Senior High School, but did not graduate. She competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, during her sophomore year of high school.
On October 10, 2023, Retton's daughter McKenna announced that her mother was critically ill with pneumonia. Retton reportedly did not have health insurance and turned to crowdfunding to raise money for medical expenses. Retton returned home to recover later that month and issued a statement on October 30, 2023, saying "I'm with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process. When the time is right, I will be sharing more information about my health issues." The total sum collected as of January 22, 2024, was $459,234. Upon inquiry from USA Today, Retton would not comment on any details surrounding her medical issue nor how much of the donations were allocated toward her healthcare. Her daughter said any "remaining funds" would go towards a charity, but failed to provide any details or timeline.
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Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Mary Lou Retton's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, primarily due to her Olympic success, endorsement deals, and various business ventures. Her income sources include Olympic prize money, endorsement contracts (notably with Wheaties), and TV appearances.
Career, Business and Investments
Retton's career as a gymnast was marked by her historic Olympic win in 1984, where she secured a perfect 10 on both the floor exercise and vault to clinch the gold medal. After retiring from competitive gymnastics, she remained in the public eye through TV appearances and endorsements. She has been involved in commercials for several brands, including Wheaties, Revco, and Purex. In 2018, she participated in Dancing With the Stars, further boosting her visibility.
Retton lived in Houston, Texas, until 2009, when her family returned to West Virginia. She moved back to Houston in 2012. In 1990, she married Shannon Kelley, a former University of Texas quarterback and Houston real estate developer who worked for the Houston Baptist University athletic department as of 2012. Together they have four daughters: Shayla (born 1995), McKenna (born 1997), Skyla (born 2000), and Emma (born 2002). McKenna was an NCAA gymnast at Louisiana State University, and Emma was an NCAA gymnast at the University of Arkansas. Retton and Kelley were divorced in February 2018.
Social Network
Mary Lou Retton maintains a presence on social media platforms, although she is not as active as other celebrities. Her family has used platforms like Instagram for updates and fundraising efforts, as seen during her health challenges.
Education
Retton attended the University of Texas at Austin after her Olympic career.
Overall, Mary Lou Retton's net worth and career successes are a testament to her enduring impact on American gymnastics and her ability to leverage her fame into diverse business opportunities.
Retton was inspired by watching Nadia Comăneci outshine defending Olympic two-event winner Olga Korbut on television at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, when she herself was eight years of age, and she took up gymnastics in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. She was coached by Gary Rafaloski. She then decided to move to Houston, Texas, to train under Romanians Béla and Márta Károlyi, who had coached Nadia Comăneci before their defection to the United States. Under the Károlyis, Retton soon began to make a name for herself in the U.S., winning the American Cup in 1983 and placing second to Dianne Durham (another Károlyi student) at the US Nationals that same year. Though Retton missed the World Gymnastics Championships in 1983 due to a wrist injury, she won the American Classic in 1983 and 1984, as well as Japan's Chunichi Cup in 1983.
Retton was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1993, the Associated Press released results of a sports study in which Retton was statistically tied for first place with fellow Olympian Dorothy Hamill as the most popular athlete in America. In 1997, Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In January 2020, Retton was the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
