Mary Lou Retton's Net Worth In 2023—and Why She Had to Crowdfund Her Medical Care
Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton is one of the most decorated gymnasts in United States history—and for all of her accolades and accomplishments, even she couldn't overcome the staggering costs of medical care in America without help.
Retton, 55, was reported to be "fighting for her life" in a battle with pneumonia in October 2023. Her daughters crowdfunded to pay for her medical care, raising more than $300,000 (including a $50,000 donation from businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale and his wife).
The fundraising efforts led many to wonder exactly what happened to Mary Lou Retton's net worth in 2023. Find out some of the context behind her financial situation.
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How did Mary Lou Retton become famous?
Mary Lou Retton was a gymnastics prodigy.
She started gymnastics when she was 8 years old, eventually moving from her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, to Houston, Texas, to train. She was a formidable competitor within just a few years, winning several national titles in 1983. She won a gold medal, two silver medals and two bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics—just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery for an injury she suffered prior. She was the first American woman in Olympics history to be named an all-around champion.
Her stellar Olympic performance made her a household name and the first woman athlete to grace a Wheaties box. She's had several other endorsements through the years, including Energizer batteries, Purex detergent, Revco drugstores, Dobie Originals fitness apparel, Hasbro, McDonald's, Vidal Sassoon hair products, GNC and more.
Retton went on to become a pop-culture figure, popping up in movies and TV shows, as well as competing on Dancing With the Stars in 2018. She also works as a motivational speaker.
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What is Mary Lou Retton's net worth in 2023?
Mary Lou Retton's net worth in 2023 is estimated to be $2 million, but those figures haven't been substantiated by any solid or reliable reporting, so take it with a grain of salt. It's also important to remember that someone's net worth isn't just their earnings, but the value of any and all property they own, as well as whatever investments they may have, in relation to whatever debt or liabilities they may have. As such, Retton may have a net worth of $2 million, but that doesn't mean she necessarily has a ton of liquid assets to pay a massive medical bill.
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How much is Mary Lou Retton worth?
Mary Lou Retton's net worth has been estimated to be in the $2 million range, but again, that hasn't been corroborated solidly. It's important to also note that Retton divorced her longtime husband, Shannon Kelley, in 2018, which may have also made her net worth take a hit depending on what their settlement was post-split.
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How old was Mary Lou Retton when she was in the Olympics?
Retton was just 16 years old when she competed in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
Why was Mary Lou Retton hospitalized?
Retton was hospitalized for a severe and rare form of pneumonia, according to her daughter. The condition is so serious that as of Wednesday, Oct. 11, Retton wasn't able to breathe on her own. The details of her condition have been kept private.
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Does Mary Lou Retton have insurance?
Retton doesn't have health insurance, which is part of why her medical care is cripplingly expensive for her and her family. It's unclear why she didn't have a healthcare plan (as she'd likely be eligible for one under the Affordable Care Act if she couldn't get one through an employer). Whether her lack of health insurance was due to financial difficulties, a previous policy lapsing or more personal reasons remains unknown.
There has been speculation that Retton campaigned against the Affordable Care Act and was opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, though those claims haven't been substantiated anywhere credible, and her social media accounts do not currently show any of those sentiments. Her most recent public political statements were an appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention. In her gymnastics heyday (again, when she was a teenager), she was a vocal and ardent supporter of Republican President Ronald Reagan, who appeared with her frequently during the context of the Cold War and her breaking the Soviet Union's clutches on Olympic gymnastics medals.
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What does Mary Lou Retton do now?
Retton has long retired from competing in gymnastics, but she's still been involved with the sport through her daughters, who are competitive gymnasts.
Retton has also been a member of USA Gymnastics, most famously when she and others from the organization reportedly lobbied the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in efforts to keep Feinstein from voting for the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. The act was a direct response to the rampant sexual abuse gymnasts faced at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar. Thankfully, the legislation passed in February 2018 despite USA Gymnastics and Retton's reported efforts to curb it.
By September 2018, Retton somewhat changed her tune on the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, and noted that she was prevented from speaking out publicly earlier because of legalities involved with her being on the board of USA Gymnastics.
"We were lied to. We were not presented with all of the information at all," she told Access Live at the time. "It's sad that one monster is going to bring this sport down. I can sit here right now and say I don't know the future of this sport."
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Where does Mary Lou Retton currently live?
Retton's most recent residence was reportedly in the Houston, Texas, area.
