HEALTHMary Lou Retton Reveals She Was Almost Put on Life Support During 'Serious' Pneumonia Battle
Mary Lou Retton opened up about her near-fatal trip to the ICU in October 2023.
In a preview, which aired on the Sunday, January 7, episode of Sunday Today with Willie Geist, the Olympic gymnast sat down with the Today show's Hoda Kotb to discuss the health scare.
Mary Lou Retton is a mother-of-four.
Last fall, it was revealed the athlete was hospitalized due to a rare form of pneumonia which Retton admitted left her "fighting for her life."
In the interview, the 55-year-old, spoke about the incident for the first time.
Retton revealed she is "on oxygen" as she sat beside daughter Shayla Schrepfer while wearing the breathing apparatus.
“I feel like you’re in a very vulnerable state,” Kotb stated, to which Retton replied, “Very much so. I’m very private and to come out and talk about it.”
Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized for pneumonia in October.
She continued: "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," Retton added.
Mary Lou Retton's daughter made a Spotfund to raise money for her mother's medical expenses.
In addition to Shayla, the five-time Olympic medalist is also mom to daughters McKenna, Skyla and Emma, whom she shares with ex-husband Shannon Kelley.
As OK! previously reported, news of Mary Lou’s condition came after McKenna shared a Spotfund link on social media asking for support amid the hospitalization.
Mary Lou Retton is a five time Olympic medalist.
"Hey everyone! On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help. My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured," she wrote. "We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill. ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!"
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Following the upload, Shayla also spoke out as she thanked all those who had chosen to support the family at their time of need.
"My sisters and I are overwhelmed," she shared. "We didn't even realize that there's so many people out there that love her just as much as we do. And it's been a really hard time for our family, so just seeing that people love her like that, and are showing her that support, it's just meant the world to us and to her."
