History of Mary Lou Retton in Timeline
Mary Lou Retton is a celebrated American retired gymnast, most notably recognized for her outstanding performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She achieved a historic victory by winning the gold medal in the individual all-around competition, becoming the first American woman to do so. In addition to her gold medal, Retton also secured two silver medals and two bronze medals during the same Olympics, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in American sports history and inspiring future generations of gymnasts.
January 24, 1968: Mary Lou Retton Born
On January 24, 1968, Mary Lou Retton, the future Olympic gold medalist gymnast, was born.
1976: Inspired by Nadia Comăneci
In 1976, at the age of eight, Mary Lou Retton was inspired to take up gymnastics after watching Nadia Comăneci at the Montreal Summer Olympics.
1983: American Cup Win and Other Competitions
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 in 1983. She missed the World Gymnastics Championships due to a wrist injury.
1984: 1984 Summer Olympics
In 1984, Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal in the individual all-around competition at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She also won two silver and two bronze medals at the same Olympics.
1984: Won American Classic
In 1984, Mary Lou Retton won the American Classic.
1984: 1984 Olympic Gold Medal
In 1984, Mary Lou Retton won the all-around gold medal at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, becoming the first American woman and first non-Eastern European to achieve this honor. She had recovered from a knee injury just weeks before the games.
1984: Competed in 1984 Olympic Games
In 1984, during her sophomore year of high school, Mary Lou Retton competed in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
1985: Received Golden Plate Award
In 1985, Mary Lou Retton received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
1985: Won American Cup All-Around Competition
In 1985, Mary Lou Retton won the American Cup all-around competition for the third and final time.
1990: Married Shannon Kelley
In 1990, Mary Lou Retton married Shannon Kelley.
1992: Elected to National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
In 1992, Mary Lou Retton was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
1993: Most Popular Athlete
In 1993, the Associated Press released results of a sports study in which Mary Lou Retton was statistically tied for first place with Dorothy Hamill as the most popular athlete in America.
1995: Birth of Daughter Shayla
In 1995, Mary Lou Retton's daughter Shayla was born.
1996: Kerri Strug Wins Olympic Gold
In 1996, Kerri Strug won an Olympic gold medal.
1997: Inducted into International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
In 1997, Mary Lou Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
1997: Birth of Daughter McKenna
In 1997, Mary Lou Retton's daughter McKenna was born.
2000: Birth of Daughter Skyla
In 2000, Mary Lou Retton's daughter Skyla was born.
2002: Birth of Daughter Emma
In 2002, Mary Lou Retton's daughter Emma was born.
2004: Carly Patterson Wins Olympic Gold
In 2004, Carly Patterson won the Olympic gold medal in Athens, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
2004: Pledge of Allegiance at RNC
In 2004, Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug delivered the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican National Convention.
2008: Nastia Liukin Wins Olympic Gold
In 2008, Nastia Liukin won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
2009: Family Returned to West Virginia
In 2009, Mary Lou Retton's family returned to West Virginia.
2012: Gabby Douglas Wins Olympic Gold
In 2012, Gabby Douglas won the Olympic gold medal in London, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
2012: Moved Back to Houston
In 2012, Mary Lou Retton moved back to Houston.
2016: Simone Biles Wins Olympic Gold
In 2016, Simone Biles won the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
2016: USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal
In 2016, the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal hit the news.
2017: Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017
In 2017, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was introduced to the 115th Congress.
February 14, 2018: Signed into law Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act
On February 14, 2018, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law and became effective immediately.
February 2018: Divorced Shannon Kelley
In February 2018, Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Kelley were divorced.
2019: Spokesperson for Australian Dream
In 2019, Mary Lou Retton became a spokesperson for Australian Dream, a pain relief cream.
January 2020: Inducted into Houston Sports Hall of Fame
In January 2020, Mary Lou Retton was the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
2021: Suni Lee Wins Olympic Gold
In 2021, Suni Lee won the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
October 10, 2023: Daughter Announced Critical Illness
On October 10, 2023, Mary Lou Retton's daughter McKenna announced that her mother was critically ill with pneumonia and lacked health insurance, leading to crowdfunding for medical expenses.
October 30, 2023: Statement on Recovery
On October 30, 2023, Mary Lou Retton issued a statement saying she was continuing to recover slowly with her family and remaining positive.
2023: Spokesperson for Colonial Penn Life Insurance
Briefly in 2023, Mary Lou Retton became a spokesperson for Colonial Penn Life Insurance.
January 22, 2024: Crowdfunding Sum
As of January 22, 2024, the total sum collected for Mary Lou Retton's medical expenses was $459,234.
2024: Simone Biles Anticipated Olympic Competition
In 2024, Simone Biles is anticipated to compete in Paris, continuing the American streak after Mary Lou Retton.
