Mary Lou Retton has been regarded as one of the most well-known gymnasts in the United States. She is the first American gymnast to win a gold medal in the individual all-around competition. When she achieved the famous feat at the 1984 Summer Olympics, she was still studying in high school. She decided to retire from gymnastics in 1986.

Born name

Mary Lou Retton

nickname

America’s sweetheart

Sun sign

Aquarius

Place of birth

Fairmont, West Virginia, USA

Residence

She lives with her family in Houston, Texas, USA.

nationality

training

Mary Lou Retton went to Fairmont Senior High School . However, she did not graduate from high school.

occupation

retired gymnast

family

• Father – Ronnie Retton (owner and operator of a coal industry transport equipment business)
• Mutter – Lois Retton
• Siblings – She has an older sister.

Manager

Mary Lou Retton is represented by –

• MLR Entertainment
• Michael Suttle (company)

discipline

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics

Association

Karolyi Gym (formerly)

coaches

Béla Károlyi, Márta Károlyi (Until)

Build

Athletic

Height

4 feet 9 inches or 145 cm

weight

42 kg or 92.5 lbs

friend/spouse

Mary Lou Retton dated –

1. Shannon Kelley (1990-2018) – Mary began dating Shannon Kelley, a former soccer player and real estate developer while still in college. They became engaged in 1989 and were married in a romantic ceremony in 1990. During the course of their marriage, she gave birth to 4 daughters, Shayla (born 1995), McKenna (born 1997), Skyla (born 2000) and Emma (born 2002). In 2018 Mary Lou divorced Shannon.

race/ethnicity

White

She is of Italian descent.

hair colour

dark brown

eye color

dark brown

sexual orientation

Just

distinguishing features

short height

Religion

She’s a devout Christian and called The Bible her favorite book in her interview with Greenville Online. In addition, she and her family regularly attend the Second Baptist Church in Houston.

brand promotion

Mary Lou Retton has appeared in the television commercials for the following brands –

• Wheaties Trained
• milk queen
• Australian Dream Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief Cream
• Lipton Sizzle ‘n Stir
• Sprint PCS
• ReMax Realtors supports the Children’s Miracle Network (Non-Profit Advertising)

She has also been featured in the print ads for the following –

• M2a-Magnum-Hüftersatzimplantat von Biomet Manufacturing
• Mars Candy chocolates
• Depend Silhouette Slips

he also lent her voice to the radio advertisement for Biomet Manufacturing’s M2a-Magnum hip replacement implant.

She has also served as a brand ambassador for brands such as US drugstore chain Revco and Wheaties .Mary Lou has also promoted some of the brands through her Instagram like Nature’s Bounty .

Known for

Considered one of the most successful and decoratedAmerican gymnasts. She won a gold medal, two silver medals and two bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics. In fact, she is considered one of the pioneering figures in US gymnastics.

first movie

In 1988, Mary made her big screen debut in the comedy-fantasy film, Gecrooged .

First TV show

In 1984, Mary Lou Retton made her first TV show appearance on the comedy talk show, The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson .

Personal trainer

Since she had to work hard and intensely during her professional career, she decided to pursue low-impact training, which is now being pursued post-retirement. She likes to start her day with less intense swims. Mary also likes to ride her bike. Some days she even prefers to go for long walks. In fact, she prefers to walk around as much as possible.

When it comes to diet, she doesn’t follow any strict diets. She follows the simple principle of the 80 to 20 ratio. She just makes sure that 80 percent of her daily diet is healthy and nutritious, leaving her the remaining 20 percent to eat as she pleases.

She starts her day with a simple and healthy meal every day. Mary’s favorite thing to eat is toast with egg whites. She washes it down with a cup of coffee.

Mary Lou Retton favorite things

• Supplement Brand – Nature’s bounty
• Food – pizza
• Healthy Food – Grilled Chicken
• Dream vacation – Italy and Greece
• TV Shows – Every show on The Food Network, HGTV, TLC and Animal Planet
• Hobbies – reading, cooking and exercising
• Enjoyment – fries and pizza
• Book – The Bible

Mary Lou Retton Fakten

1. She was a sophomore when she competed in the 1984 Olympics and delivered a stunning distance that included a gold medal and two silvers.
2. Through the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Nadia Comăneci managed to defeat the winner of the Olympic duel, Olga Korbut, she became a gymnast.
3. She began her journey at a local club in her hometown of Fairmont. She was coached by Gary Rafaloski.
4. She later moved to Houston, Texas, where she trained under the tutelage of Romanians Béla and Márta Károlyi, who had also coached former Olympian Nadia Comăneci.
5. In 1983 she managed to win the American Cup. However, she missed out on participating in the World Championships due to a wrist injury.
6. Her participation in the 1984 Summer Olympics was in doubt because of a knee injury. She had sat down to sign contracts when she found her knee locked. She only had to undergo surgery 5 weeks before the Olympics.
7. When she won the all-around gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, she became the first American to win the prestigious medal. She was also the first gymnast not from Eastern Europe to win the gold medal.
8. In 1984, she was selected as the Associated Press ‘s Amateur Athlete of the Year . She was also declared Sportswoman of the Year by Sports Illustrated Magazine.
9. In recognition of her stunning performances at the Olympics, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
10. In 1992 she was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
11. She was born with hip dysplasia, which aggravated due to her strenuous gymnastics regime. In her mid-30s, she even had to undergo hip surgery.
12. She was a fierce supporter of former US President Ronald Reagan’s administration. She even appeared in a number of his campaign commercials and also at his rallies.
13. Visit her official website @ marylouretton.com.
14. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.