Mary Lou Retton is an American retired gymnast who was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia.
She trained with Romanian coach Bela Karolyi and won the American Cup and the U.S. Nationals.
At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Retton won a gold medal in the individual all-around competition, as well as two silver medals and two bronze medals.
Her success on home soil transformed her into a true American sporting icon.
She was the first American woman to capture the gold medal in the women’s all-around competition.
After retiring from gymnastics in 1985, Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
She is also a motivational speaker and an occasional commentator for televised gymnastics.
Mary Lou Retton early life
Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia, to parents Ronnie and Lois Retton.
Her father was a coal-industry transportation equipment business owner, and her mother signed her up for dance and acrobatics classes at the age of four.
Retton started gymnastics training a year later and moved to Houston, Texas, in 1983 to train with Bela Karolyi, a Romanian coach who helped her develop a style that suited her compact, muscular frame.
She began studying dance and acrobatics at age four, starting gymnastics training a year later.
Retton was successful at major American and international tournaments during the early 1980s, becoming the first American to win the combined events title at the Chunichi Cup in Japan in 1983.
In 1984, she won first place in the vault, floor exercise, and all-around events at the U.S. national championships.
Later that year, Retton made her Olympic debut at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, during her sophomore year of high school.
She won five medals at the games, including the all-around gold medal, making her the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics.
Retton attended Fairmont Senior High School but did not graduate.
After retiring from gymnastics in 1985, she studied communications at the University of Texas and began serving as a television commentator.
She has also been successful as a motivational speaker, newspaper columnist and actress.
Retton currently resides in Houston, Texas, with her four daughters, and is an occasional commentator for televised gymnastics.
Mary Lou Retton net worth
As of October 2023, Retton has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Mary Lou Retton career
Retton trained with Romanian coach Bela Karolyi and won the American Cup and the U.S. Nationals.
She developed a style to suit her strong, compact frame, winning several prestigious competitions.
Retton’s performance at the 1984 Olympics made her one of the most popular athletes in the United States.
She won five medals at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, more than any other athlete.
Her success on home soil transformed her into a true American sporting icon.
After retiring from gymnastics in 1985, Retton went on to work in television, advertised a well-known brand of breakfast cereal, and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
