Mary Lou Retton Finally Speaks Out About Her Health Scare: 'I'm So Grateful to Be Here'
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Mary Lou Retton, 55, is well-known for her past prestigious career as a gymnast, and recently, she faced a rare form of pneumonia that threatened her life.
In a new interview, Retton spoke with Today show host Hoda Kotb about the ordeal, telling her, "This is serious and this is life."
The television program released a preview of the full interview on social media, with the clip showing Kotb speaking to Retton as she sat on a couch with an oxygen machine hooked up, her daughter McKenna Kelley beside her.
After Kotb commented on Retton's "vulnerable state," the former gymnast noted that she's "very private," but she said, "Usually my interviews are, 'Oh, yeah, it felt great to win the Olympics,' you know? This is serious and this is life."
"I'm so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here, because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support," declared Retton, revealing exactly how significant her sickness was, and still is.
Iconic Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is on the mend after a life-threatening health scare with a rare form of pneumonia in the fall. Now, with her daughter by her side, Retton sat down exclusively with @HodaKotb, to talk about how she's recovering. #SundayTODAY pic.twitter.com/KYAkYX6578
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 7, 2024
The health situation began in early October 2023, with McKenna sharing a social media update that stated, "My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life." She also shared that she and the rest of Retton's family had started a spotfund fundraiser for Retton, stating that she didn't have health insurance. As of writing, the fund has just over $459,000 raised.
A few days later, Retton's family shared another update about her status, noting that she was steadily improving and they seemed to be hopeful.
At the end of October, Retton finally shared a personal statement, writing to friends and fans, "I'm with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process."
Based on her appearance in the Today interview, the gold medalist's recovery seems ongoing.
Along with McKenna, Retton is also the mother of daughters Shayla, Skyla and Emma.
Next: Is Mary Lou Retton Getting Better? Inside the Olympian's Health Battle
