Mary Lou Retton is an American retired gymnast who is best known for her achievements at the 1984 Olympics. She is the first American woman to secure a gold medal in the all-around category of gymnastics.

Mary Lou Retton Biography
Real Name | Mary Lou Retton |
Nickname | Mary Lou Retton |
Profession | Retired gymnast |
Date of Birth | 24 January 1968 |
Age | 57 years (as of 2025) |
Birth Place | Fairmont, West Virginia, USA |
Nationality | American |
Hometown | Fairmont, West Virginia, USA |
Gender | Female |
Zodiac Sign | Aquarius. |
Ethnicity | American |
Religion | Not known |
Hobbies | Cooking, reading, exercising, etc. |
Social Media | Instagram X (Twitter) |
Education Qualification
School | Fairmont Senior High School |
College | Not known |
Education Qualification | Didn’t complete her graduation. |
Mary Lou Retton Age
Mary Lou Retton was born on 27 January 1968 in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States. She is 57 years old as of 2025, and her zodiac sign is Aquarius.

Mary Lou Retton Husband
Marital Status | Married |
Affairs/Boyfriend | Shannon Kelley |
Spouse/Husband | Shannon Kelley (m.1990, div. 2018) |
Children | Daughter – Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma Son – None |
Mary Lou Retton Family
Father’s Name | Ronnie Retton (businessman) |
Mother’s Name | Lois Retton |
Brother’s Name | Donnie |
Sister’s Name | Shari and Ronnie Jr. |
Career
Debut | She started gymnastics journey at the age of 8 |
Retired | 29 September 1986 |
Award | Gold – 1983 American Cup, New York Gold – 1984 American Cup, New York Gold – 1985 American Cap Indianapolis Gold – 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles Silver (2) – 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles Bronze (2) – 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles |
Mary Lou Retton Height And Weight
Height (approx) | In centimeters – 145 cm In meters – 1.45 m In feet & inches – 4’9” |
Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 48 kg In pounds – 98 lbs |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Brown |
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Mary Lou Retton Net Worth
Net Worth (approx) | $1 Million (As of 2025) |
Annual Income (approx) | Not known |
Salary (approx) | Not known |
Income Source | Prize money, salary, etc. |

Some Lesser Facts About Mary Lou Retton
- Mary Lou Retton was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, to Ronnie and Louis Retton.
- Her father, Ronnie, was in charge of a coal-industry transportation equipment business.
- She was born with hip dysplasia, which was made worse over time by her extensive gymnastics training.
- She began training in gymnastics at the age of 8 after watching Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Mary Lou Retton won the American Cup in 1983 at the age of 15.
- She went on to win the U.S. National in 1984 an also qualified at the U.S. Olympic Trails.
- She won the American Cup all-around competition in 1985 for the third time.
- Mary Lou Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 at the age of 18.
- She was the first woman to be inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in January 2020.
- At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the individual event, as well as two silver medals and two bronze medals.
- She and the fellow American gymnast Carly Patterson have both won all-around gold medals at the Olympics.
- She moved to Houston, Texas, to train under Bela and Marta Karolyi after being inspired by Nadia Comaneci.
FAQ:
How old is Mary Lou Retton?
57 years (As of 2025)
Who is Mary Lou Retton’s husband?
Mary Lou Retton was married to Shannon Kelly from 1990 to 2018.
What disease does Mary Lou Retton have?
Mary Lou Retton was born with hip dysplasia.
What is Mary Lou Retton’s net worth?
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $1 million.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.