Former Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton Relies On Oxygen Tanks After Pneumonia Battle & DUI Arrest

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Emma FanninJune 12, 2025, 3:21 pmNews >

Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has undergone an extensive medical battle in recent years, leaving her reliant on oxygen tanks.

Retton first underwent multiple hip surgeries in 2005, but her health started to decline even further in 2023 after contracting a rare form of pneumonia.

The former Olympic gold medalist was unable to breathe on her own and frequently has to rely on an oxygen tank. Her ex-brother-in-law, Shaun Kelley, told the New York Post that “she couldn’t even take a full breath when [he] talked to her.”

Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, asked for support from fans while her mother was in the ICU, as she was fully uninsured. The family created a Spotfund account that eventually raised $460,000, surpassing its original $50,000 goal.

Retton made her mark in the sports industry at the age of 16 when she became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. She was also named Sportswoman of the Year in 1984.

In 2024, people began raising questions about the integrity of the Spotfund account. Specifically, fans began to question what happened to the remaining funds after she used the donations to pay for her insurance.

Things took another turn for the worse when Retton faced DUI charges in May in her hometown. Authorities found her in a parking lot, sitting in the front seat of her Porsche with multiple alcoholic beverages scattered around her. She was charged with one misdemeanor count of DUI and posted a $1,500 bond the same day.

Retton is also facing hateful comments on Instagram regarding her financial habits.

“Going to start a GoFundMe for your DUI now???” one user commented.

Another said, “Doesn’t have money for medical insurance but had money for booze & pills?”

Retton is now using her platform to promote her new partnership with Foxy’s Leotards. She created a collection with her daughter, Emma Jean Kelley, called “Mary Lou Retton + Emma Jean Kelley Collection.” The collection features leotards inspired by Mary Lou’s attire during her reign as Olympic gold medalist. It also features an exclusive Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal signed by Retton herself.