Mary Lou Retton Hospitalized In The ICU: Former Olympian And ‘DWTS’ Contestant Is “Fighting For Her Life,” Daughter Says

Olympic gold medalist and previous Dancing with the Stars contestant Mary Lou Retton has been hospitalized with a “very rare form of pneumonia” and is “fighting for her life.”

The former gymnast’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared the news on Instagram Tuesday (Oct. 10), where she also posted a link to a donation page she launched to raise money for her mother’s treatment.

“On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help,” Kelly wrote on the page’s description.

“She’s been in the ICU for over a week now,” she continued. “Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured.”

Kelly and her sisters offered two ways for fans to support her mom: “We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill,” she wrote. “ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!”

While the page’s goal was originally set at $50,000, donations have continued to flood in, and the page has since accumulated more than $176,000.

Retton, now 55, made a name for herself at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles by becoming the first American gymnast to win an individual all-around gold medal, per Deadline. According to The New York Times, Retton scored a perfect 10 in the final rotation at the all-around competition, and ultimately earned five medals at the 1984 games.

Retton’s Olympic fame granted her the opportunity to appear on a Wheaties cereal box, and landed her the title of 1984 Sportswoman of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

While competing on Season 27 of Dancing with the Stars in 2018, she ranked ninth with partner Sasha Farber, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated that season, per ABC News.

Farber told Entertainment Tonight yesterday that he had spoken with Retton, who he said was “fighting” in the hospital.

“She kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, ‘There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!'” Farber shared. He added, “She’s a fighter. She’s going to be great. I know her very well. And she’s like family to me and she’s a fighter… she’s strong. She’s strong.”