Legendary gymnast Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelly, recently shared the real reason the retired Olympic gymnast was denied health insurance. I shared several factors that prevented Lou Retton from qualifying for the insurance plan.
In October 2023, Lou Retton made headlines for suffering from a rare form of pneumonia and fighting for her life in the intensive care unit. The news was shared by the retired gymnast’s daughter on a social media site. Kelly said her mother was unable to breathe and remained in the intensive care unit for more than a week. Since Lou Retton did not have a medical insurance plan, Kelly urged the gymnast’s fans to raise funds to cover her mother’s medical expenses.
During a recent interview with USA Today, Kelly revealed that due to Mary Lou Retton’s medical conditions, she was unable to get a health care plan. The gymnast has undergone more than 30 orthopedic surgeries, including four hip replacements, her daughter said. She said:
“Given her medical history and the amount of surgeries she’s had just from gymnastics and just life, this is unaffordable for her.”
Kelly also revealed that Mary Lou Retton was covered by the health insurance plan. After retirement, the gymnast earns a speaking fee of $25,000. However, when the pandemic happened, Mary Lou Retton was unable to work or give speeches for two years. As a result, she had to give up her health insurance plan.
Moreover, in 2018, the retired gymnast divorced her husband, former University of Texas midfielder Shannon Kelly, after 27 years of marriage. Eventually, she moved from her large home in the Houston area to a smaller home.
Because of these factors, the gymnast’s four daughters turned to raising money for their mother through GoFundMe.
Daughter Mary Lou Retton comments on receiving the $459,324 donation
