▶ Watch Video: Mary Lou Retton recovering at home, daughter says
American gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton is back home and on the road to recovery after being hospitalized with pneumonia earlier this month.
On Monday, McKenna Kelley, the Olympic gold-winning medalist’s daughter, posted the latest update on her mother’s condition after weeks of progress and setbacks in the ICU.
“Mom is HOME and in recovery mode. We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps,” she wrote on Instagram.
“We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone. Grateful doesn’t scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts,” she continued.
“Thank you Jesus, thank you doctors and nurses, thank you to this loving community of support,” Kelley added.
Earlier this month, Kelley shared that her mother was in the ICU battling a “very rare form of pneumonia” and at the time was not able to breathe on her own.
Kelley started a fundraiser to help pay for Retton’s medical expenses. The fundraiser far surpassed its initial goal of $50,000 and has so far raised just over $459,000.
In 1984, Retton became the first American woman to win the individual all-around gold medal at the Olympics. The 55-year-old retired in 1986, and in the years since, she has been focused on health, fitness and raising her four daughters.