History of Mary Lou Retton in Timeline
Mary Lou Retton is a retired American gymnast best known for her performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. There, she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the individual all-around gymnastics competition. In addition to her historic gold medal, Retton also won two silver medals (team and vault) and two bronze medals (uneven bars and floor exercise) at those same Olympics. Her achievements at the 1984 Los Angeles games made her a national icon and cemented her place in American sports history.
January 24, 1968: Birth of Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968.
1976: Inspiration from Nadia Comăneci
At eight years old, Mary Lou Retton was inspired to take up gymnastics after watching Nadia Comăneci compete at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
1983: Early Gymnastics Success
In 1983, Mary Lou Retton won the American Cup and placed second at the US Nationals. She also won the American Classic and Japan's Chunichi Cup, but missed the World Championships due to a wrist injury.
1984: Olympic Triumph
In 1984, Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal in the individual all-around competition, along with two silver and two bronze medals at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
1984: Olympic Victory and Knee Injury
In 1984, after winning the American Cup, US Nationals, and Olympic Trials, Retton suffered a knee injury. Following surgery, she recovered in time to win gold at the Los Angeles Olympics, making history as the first American woman to achieve this.
1984: Olympic Games Participation
Mary Lou Retton competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles during her sophomore year of high school.
1984: American Classic Win
Mary Lou Retton won the American Classic competition in 1984.
1985: Golden Plate Award
Mary Lou Retton received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1985.
1985: Final American Cup Victory
Mary Lou Retton won her third and final American Cup all-around competition in 1985.
1986: Retirement from Gymnastics
Mary Lou Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986.
1990: Marriage to Shannon Kelley
Mary Lou Retton married Shannon Kelley in 1990.
1992: Induction into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
Mary Lou Retton was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
1993: Most Popular Athlete Recognition
In 1993, a study by the Associated Press ranked Mary Lou Retton as one of the most popular athletes in America.
1995: Birth of Shayla Kelley
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, Shayla Kelley, was born in 1995.
1996: Kerri Strug's Olympic Gold
Kerri Strug won an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics in 1996.
1997: International Gymnastics Hall of Fame Induction
Mary Lou Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
1997: Birth of McKenna Kelley
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, was born in 1997.
2000: Birth of Skyla Kelley
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, Skyla Kelley, was born in 2000.
2002: Birth of Emma Kelley
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, Emma Kelley, was born in 2002.
2004: Carly Patterson's Olympic Gold
Carly Patterson won the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
2004: Appearance at Republican National Convention
Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug delivered the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2004 Republican National Convention.
2008: Nastia Liukin's Olympic Gold
Nastia Liukin took the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2009: Move to West Virginia
Mary Lou Retton and her family moved back to West Virginia in 2009.
2012: Gabby Douglas' Olympic Gold
Gabby Douglas secured the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2012 London Olympics.
2012: Return to Houston
Mary Lou Retton moved back to Houston, Texas, in 2012.
2016: Simone Biles' Olympic Gold
Simone Biles won the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
2016: USA Gymnastics Sex Abuse Scandal
The USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal came to light in 2016.
2017: Introduction of Safe Sport Act
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act was introduced to Congress in 2017.
February 14, 2018: Safe Sport Act Enactment
The Safe Sport Authorization Act was signed into law on February 14, 2018.
February 2018: Divorce from Shannon Kelley
Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Kelley divorced in February 2018.
2019: Australian Dream Spokesperson
Mary Lou Retton became a spokesperson for Australian Dream pain relief cream in 2019.
January 2020: Houston Sports Hall of Fame Induction
In January 2020, Mary Lou Retton became the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
2021: Suni Lee's Olympic Gold
Suni Lee achieved the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
October 10, 2023: Hospitalization for Pneumonia
On October 10, 2023, Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized with severe pneumonia.
October 30, 2023: Return Home and Recovery Update
Mary Lou Retton returned home to continue her recovery on October 30, 2023, and released a statement regarding her health.
2023: Colonial Penn Life Insurance Spokesperson
Mary Lou Retton briefly served as a spokesperson for Colonial Penn Life Insurance in 2023.
2024: Simone Biles' Second Olympic Gold
Simone Biles won her second all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics.