What is Mary Lou Retton Net Worth?
After the Olympics, Retton remained in the public eye, staying active in a variety of ways, from supporting the Reagan administration to appearing in TV commercials and endorsement campaigns. One of her most famous endorsements was with Wheaties cereal, where she graced the iconic box. Beyond her athletic career, Retton attended the University of Texas, Austin, and continued to make appearances across the country, establishing a lasting presence in both sports and popular culture.
Illness and Fundraiser
On October 10, 2023, Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, McKenna, revealed that her mother had been in the ICU for over a week battling an unexplained illness that made it impossible for her to breathe on her own. Along with this, McKenna shared that Mary Lou did not have health insurance, prompting her to include a link to a fundraising page. The goal was to raise $50,000 to cover medical expenses, but the fundraiser ended up raising an impressive $460,000. The support from fans and friends was overwhelming, offering hope during such a difficult time.
When asked later why her mother lacked healthcare, McKenna explained that Mary Lou’s medical history, which included some surgeries from her gymnastics career and life in general, made health insurance unaffordable. Moreover, her income had dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was earning around $25,000 per speech before the pandemic hit. This tragic turn of events led to an urgent need for help, which was met by the outpouring of generosity from many.
Personal Life & Divorce Settlement
Mary Lou Retton had a notable gymnastics career before settling into her personal life. She attended The University of Texas, Austin, and lived in Houston, Texas, until 2009. That year, she moved to West Virginia, only to return to Houston in 2012. During this time, she married Shannon Kelley, a real estate developer and former quarterback at the University of Texas. Together, they had four daughters: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma. However, their marriage ended in 2018 with a divorce.
The divorce settlement in 2018 saw Shannon Kelley reportedly paying Mary Lou Retton a total of $2 million in cash and property, including $1,950,597 worth of cash and property. Additionally, Mary Lou received her share from the sale of their two homes—one in Houston, which was sold for $800,000, and another in West Virginia, sold for $575,000. As part of the settlement, she also received the couple’s 2015 Porsche Panamera.
Early Life
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Her father, Ronnie, ran a coal-industry transportation equipment business. From a young age, Mary Lou struggled with hip dysplasia, which was only made worse by her extensive gymnastics training. Despite the challenges, she began practicing gymnastics at the age of 8, inspired by watching Nadia Comaneci during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. This moment sparked a lifelong passion for the sport.
To support her dream, Mary Lou’s family moved to Houston so she could train under the famous Bela and Marta Karolyi, who had coached Nadia Comaneci. This move played a crucial role in shaping her future success in gymnastics, eventually leading her to become one of the most celebrated figures in the sport.
Gymnastics Career
Mary Lou Retton’s rise to fame in gymnastics began at a young age. At just 15, she became a star after winning the American Cup in 1983. That year, she finished second at the U.S. Nationals, right behind Dianne Durham. Unfortunately, a wrist injury prevented her from participating in the World Gymnastics Championships, but she made a strong comeback at the American Classic in 1983 and 1984. Her success continued when she won the U.S. Nationals in 1984, which led to her qualification for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
However, Mary Lou Retton faced a major setback in her journey when a knee injury nearly sidelined her. She was injured while signing autographs, causing her knee to lock, requiring surgery and five weeks of recovery. Despite the setback, she overcame the injury just in time to perform at the 1984 Summer Olympics. At the Olympics, she had a dramatic close battle with Ecaterina Szabo, from the Soviet bloc of Romania, for the all-around gold medal. Retton’s flawless performance in the uneven bars, balance beams, and vault, including perfect scores of 10, helped her win the coveted title, making her the first female gymnast from non-Eastern Europe to win the Olympic all-around champion title.
Retton’s career continued to soar after the Olympics. She won two silver medals and two bronze medals, cementing her place as a gymnastics legend. She returned to the American Cup in 1985, where she won the all-around competition for the third time. At just 18, she retired in 1986. During her career, she became known for her signature move on the uneven bars, called The Retton Flip, which became part of the Code of Points and influenced stylistic changes in gymnastics. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in January 2020.
Endorsements
Mary Lou Retton’s success in gymnastics led to several lucrative endorsement deals. She became the face of the Wheaties box, a symbol of athletic excellence, which boosted her popularity and net worth. Retton also served as a spokeswoman for Revco, a well-known U.S. drugstore chain, among other brands. Her marketability extended beyond just athletic endorsements; she became an outspoken supporter of Ronald Reagan and the Reagan administration, frequently appearing in television ads that aligned with her conservative values. Her influence grew as she endorsed the president’s reelection campaign, solidifying her position in both the public and political spheres.
Beyond her endorsements, Retton continued to make appearances in the public eye. In 2004, she joined Kerri Strug, another famous gymnast, to deliver the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican National Convention. This further showcased her commitment to conservative politics and her longstanding relationship with Reagan and the Republican Party. Through these high-profile roles, Mary Lou Retton solidified her career not only as an athlete but also as a public figure, earning substantial income and continuing to grow her net worth.
Other Appearances
Mary Lou Retton has made several cameo appearances as herself in popular films and shows. She appeared in Scrooged and Naked Gun 33+ 1/3: Final Insult, bringing her gymnastics fame to the big screen. She also made memorable appearances in the TV shows Knots Landing and Baywatch, and even starred in a commercial for RadioShack in 2014. Beyond her acting roles, Retton competed on the 27th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2018, where she was partnered with professional dancer Sasha Farber. Despite a strong effort, she was eliminated in the sixth week, finishing in ninth place, showing her versatility in both sports and entertainment.
Conclusion
FAQs Section
What is Mary Lou Retton’s current net worth?
Mary Lou Retton, with an estimated net worth of nearly $2 million, is believed to have gained her fortune based on her career as a gymnast, endorsements, and public appearances.
How did Mary Lou Retton make her fortune?
Mary Lou Retton net worth came from a simply iconic gymnastics career, huge endorsement deals, and public appearances like her connection with brands like Wheaties.
What Olympic achievements helped boost Mary Lou Retton’s net worth?
One of those was her historical win at the 1984 Summer Olympics, in which she got gold for all-around, a feat that certainly took up a very significant part of fueling her net worth and making her much more of a household name.
What was Mary Lou Retton’s most famous endorsement?
Some of the many endorsement deals that she had were with Wheaties, for which she had the honor of appearing on the cereal box enormous step forward for an increase in visibility and net worth.
Did Mary Lou Retton Continue working after Retiring from gymnastics?
How did the 1984 Olympics impact Mary Lou Retton’s career?
The 1984 Olympics marked the first time an American female athlete had won all-around gold. It marked a name permanently in the sporting world, as well as significantly increasing Retton’s net worth.
Did Mary Lou Retton make any appearances outside of gymnastics?
Yes, she also managed to appear in Scrooged and Naked Gun 33+ 1/3: Final Insult definite improvement of her public profile and net worth least partially through brief appearances in films television shows, and commercials.
What was the source of Mary Lou Retton’s income post-gymnastics?
After retiring from gymnastics, the wealth of Mary Lou Retton increased thanks to endorsements, speaking engagements, and television and commercial appearances.
How did Mary Lou Retton’s political views influence her career?
By openly endorsing Ronald Reagan, Retton‘s public image, as well as, in turn, her net worth increased after she had appeared at the Republican National Convention in 2004.