If you are a fan of Gym…..nastics (hey bodybuilder fans, move away!), then you definitely can’t miss this name: Mary Lou Retton.
It is a name that every gymnast fan knows. But what they do not know and want to know is Mary Lou Retton net worth.
So in this post, we will talk about her successful career as a gymnast, her endorsements and the challenges.
Early Life and Gymnastics Career
Early Life and Gymnastics Career
|
Name |
Mary Lou Retton |
|
Profession |
Gymnast |
|
Born |
January 24, 1968 |
|
Place |
Fairmont, West Virginia |
|
Age when she started training |
Eight years |
|
For better training, moved to |
Houston, Texas |
|
Trained by the coaches |
Bela and Marta Karolyi |
|
First success |
Won American Cup in 1983 at the age of 15 |
After her first success, she earned a place on the US Olympic squad for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
It was during the 1984 Olympics that Retton hit the limelight, winning no less than five medals:
- One gold
- Two silver
- Two bronze
Her gold medal in the all-around was historic because she was the 1st American woman to ever do so.
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Financial Success and Endorsements
After her Olympic achievements, Retton leveraged her fame into a number of endorsement contracts and public appearances. She was the first woman athlete to grace the cover of a Wheaties box, which likely gave way to higher-profile endorsement deals with Energizer, McDonald’s, and Hasbro. Retton also cemented her pop cultural relevance through TV appearances, including that unforgettable Dancing With the Stars stint back in 2018.
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Recent Health Issues and Crowdfunding Attempts
Mary was hospitalized with a severe form of pneumonia in October ‘23 in which she could not breathe without assistance! Her family launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay her medical expenses, raising over $459,000 following her critical health incident. The fact that Retton was uninsured upon entry into the hospital did surprise many individuals who consider her a celebrated athlete.
Her daughter, McKenna Kelley said Retton was uninsured because of the medical expenses entailed with her history that included a number of surgeries resulting from being a gymnast.
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Divorce and Financial Consequences
Retton also faced financial fluctuations at her divorce from Shannon Kelley in 2018. According to various reports, she got roughly $2 million as a result of the divorce settlement, in the form of cash and property. But how that amount has been utilized since then and to repay any outstanding debts remains a mystery.
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COVID-19 Effects
The COVID-19 pandemic also drastically affected Retton’s earnings. It has been said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Retton would reportedly make as high as $25,000 for speaking engagements. The pandemic greatly reduced her public speaking and appearance opportunities, which surely worsen her financial situation. With the return of public events, it remains to be seen how her motivational speaking income will recover.
Mary Lou Retton Net Worth: Current Estimates
As of 2024, the estimated net worth of Mary Lou Retton stands at about $2 million. This represents income she has made through her gymnastics, endorsements, and speaking tours, but not necessarily liquid assets to cover a high medical expense. Highly varied estimates place her net worth as high as $8 million, but those figures have no solid authenticity.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Despite the challenges she is currently facing, Mary Lou Retton will forever be thought of as one of those pioneering gymnasts. Her impact on the sport of gymnastics and how that sport opened other avenues for women in professional sports in the United States is simply without parallel. And as her health recovers, there might be a renewed stepping into the public limelight which may hopefully open up opportunities with new endorsement deals or speaking engagements.
Conclusion
Mary Lou Retton net worth is estimated to be around $2 million in the year 2024, shaped by her illustrious career, recent health struggles, and the impacts of divorce and pandemic.
While her current financial situation has raised some concerns, her legacy and strength have remained an inspiration to many. Recovery and building the future, she will without doubt need the support of her fans and the gymnastics community.
