Mary Lou Retton's Secret Divorce And 2024 Comeback: 5 Shocking Facts About Her Life After Marriage

Mary Lou Retton, the iconic American gymnast whose smile captivated the world at the 1984 Summer Olympics, is not currently married as of late 2024. The Olympic champion concluded her nearly three-decade-long marriage to former University of Texas quarterback Shannon Kelley in a private divorce that was finalized in 2018, a separation she initially kept secret from the public.

The journey of the "America's Sweetheart" since her divorce has been marked by significant personal challenges and a dramatic resurgence in the public eye, including a severe health scare and legal issues that have brought renewed attention to her life outside of gymnastics. Her story is a powerful narrative of resilience, moving from Olympic glory to navigating the complexities of post-marital life, motherhood, and a fight for survival against a rare form of pneumonia.

Mary Lou Retton: Complete Biography and Profile

Mary Lou Retton is an American retired Olympic gymnast, celebrated for becoming the first American woman to win the All-Around Gold Medal in women's gymnastics at the Olympic Games.

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• Full Name: Mary Lou Retton
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1968
• Place of Birth: Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
• Age (as of late 2024): 56
• Marital Status: Divorced (Not currently married)
• Ex-Husband: Shannon Kelley (m. 1990; div. 2018)
• Children: Four daughters: Shayla Schrepfer, McKenna Kelley, Skyla Kelley, and Emma Jean Kelley.
• Career Highlights: Five medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (one gold, two silver, two bronze).
• Post-Gymnastics Career: Motivational speaker, corporate spokesperson, television personality (including Dancing with the Stars).
• Recent News (2024): Recovering from a near-fatal battle with a rare form of pneumonia and pleaded no contest to a DUI charge.

The Truth Behind the End of Mary Lou Retton's Marriage to Shannon Kelley

For nearly 30 years, Mary Lou Retton and former college football star Shannon Kelley were one of the most recognizable couples in the world of sports. They met while both were attending the University of Texas at Austin, and they married in 1990, building a life together in Houston, Texas, and raising four daughters.

A Private Split and a Public Revelation

The couple’s separation was a closely guarded secret. Retton revealed on the reality show Dancing with the Stars in 2018 that she had been divorced since February of that year. The news came as a shock to many fans who had viewed her marriage as another aspect of her picture-perfect public image.

The divorce from Kelley, a former University of Texas quarterback who went on to work in real estate and coaching, marked the end of a 27-year marriage. Retton later spoke openly about the emotional toll, stating that the separation had "needed to happen for a long time," and that she felt a sense of loneliness within the marriage.

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The Financial and Emotional Fallout

Court documents later revealed that the divorce settlement was substantial, with Retton reportedly being awarded nearly $2 million. The financial aspect, however, was secondary to the emotional cost of separating from the father of her four children.

Retton emphasized that despite the divorce, she and Kelley remain committed to co-parenting their four daughters: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma Jean. This focus on family stability, even after the marriage ended, has been a key theme in her post-divorce life.

Life After Divorce: Motherhood, Grandparenthood, and New Battles

Since her divorce, Mary Lou Retton has shifted her focus to her personal well-being and her role as a mother. This new chapter has been filled with both joy and significant adversity, bringing her back into the spotlight for reasons unrelated to her Olympic legacy.

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The Kelley Daughters: Following in Athletic Footsteps

All four of Retton's daughters have inherited their parents' athletic genes. McKenna Kelley, in particular, followed her mother into gymnastics, competing at the collegiate level for the LSU Tigers. Skyla Kelley and Emma Jean Kelley have also pursued athletic interests.

In a joyous family update, Retton became a grandmother for the first time in 2024. Her eldest daughter, Shayla Schrepfer (formerly Shayla Kelley), welcomed her first child, adding a new generation to the Kelley-Retton family legacy.

The Near-Fatal Health Crisis of 2023-2024

The most dramatic event in Retton's recent life was a severe health battle in late 2023. She was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a "rare form of pneumonia" and was unable to breathe on her own. The severity of her condition led her daughters to start a public fundraising campaign on social media, as she lacked health insurance.

In early 2024, Retton appeared on the NBC Today show with her daughter Shayla to discuss the frightening ordeal. She described the recovery process as "long and slow," but emphasized her positive outlook and gratitude for the public support. Her health crisis highlighted the financial vulnerability many public figures face and sparked a national conversation about healthcare access.

Legal Challenges and Retton's Resilience in 2024

Adding to the complexity of her post-divorce life, Retton faced a legal issue in 2024. She was arrested on a DUI charge in West Virginia, her home state. The incident, which occurred just a few miles from her childhood home, was widely reported in the media.

In a subsequent court appearance, Retton pleaded no contest to the charge. Her attorney released a statement asking for privacy as the former Olympian focused on moving forward with her personal and professional life.

Despite the challenges—a public divorce, a near-fatal illness, and legal troubles—Mary Lou Retton continues to embody the resilience she demonstrated during her historic 1984 Olympic performance. She remains a powerful figure, navigating the complexities of modern celebrity life while focusing on her family and her ongoing recovery.