Mary Lou Retton is an iconic figure in the world of gymnastics, celebrated for her remarkable achievements and enduring influence as a sports role model.
She is the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics. Her performance, marked by a perfect score of 10 on the vault in a critical moment, secured her place in sports history and made her an instant national hero.
As of 2024, Her net worth is estimated to be around $2 million as of 2024. Let’s look further into her personal life, career and charitable works.
Full Name | Mary Lou Retton |
Date of Birth | January 24, 1968 |
Age (as of 2023) | 55 years |
Place of Birth | Fairmont, West Virginia, USA |
Profession | Retired Artistic Gymnast |
Height | 4 ft 9 in (145 cm) |
Weight | Approx. 93 lbs (42 kg) during her competition years |
Notable Achievements | 1984 Olympic Individual All-Around Champion, Five-time Olympic Medalist (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) |
Education | Attended Fairmont Senior High School; briefly enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin |
Personal Life | Married with four daughters |
Retirement | Retired from competitive gymnastics in 1986 |
Net Worth | $2 million USD |
01
of 08Early Life and Education
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia.
She attended Fairmont Senior High School in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. However, she did not graduate from Fairmont Senior High School due to her commitment to gymnastics, especially her training and competition schedule leading up to and including the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, during what would have been her sophomore year.
02
of 08Career
Gymnastics Career
She started gymnastics at the young age of 5 when her parents enrolled her in classes, recognizing her natural talent even at that age.
By the age of 7, Retton was competing and winning state championships, placing first all-around at the 1975 West Virginia State Championships. Over the next several years, Retton steadily improved her skills and competitive experience by training rigorously and competing at regional and national events.
She gained national attention in 1981 at age 13 when she placed third all-around at the U.S. National Championships. In 1982, Retton qualified for the U.S. national team after placing second all-around at Nationals.
Her career took off even further in 1983 when she moved to Houston at age 15 to train under renowned coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi. With the Karolyis’ intensive coaching, Retton reached elite levels, as demonstrated by her back-to-back American Cup all-around titles in 1983 and 1984, becoming the first American woman to accomplish that feat. Her performance included a perfect score of 10 on the vault, which clinched the gold medal for her.
Post Olympic Career and Endorsements
After her historic Olympic performance in 1984, Mary Lou Retton successfully leveraged her newfound fame and status as America’s sweetheart into numerous financial opportunities. Her posters adorned walls across the country, and Retton soon found herself inundated with endorsement offers from major brands.
Most notably, Retton’s Olympic achievements led her to become the first female athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties cereal box. General Mills showcased the 16-year-old champion gymnast on Wheaties boxes as part of a $1 million endorsement deal, orchestrated by the U.S. Olympic Committee and Wheaties, to honor Retton’s gold medal victory. This collaboration solidified her status as a breakfast cereal icon.
Retton’s wholesome, girl-next-door image made her an attractive spokesperson for a wide range of products. During the ’80s and ’90s, she endorsed an array of items, from shampoo to bowling balls. Additionally, Retton lent her name to a line of girls’ sportswear by Dobie Originals.
While the precise amounts of her endorsements remain undisclosed, it’s estimated that Retton amassed millions from sponsorship deals over her career. Even decades later, Retton’s enduring popularity enables her to profit from speaking engagements, merchandising, and other ventures that align with her personal brand.
03
of 08Mary Lou Retton’s Net Worth
Experts today estimate Mary Lou Retton’s net worth to be about $2 million. This figure gives an idea of how successful she has been financially after her gymnastics career.
A significant portion of Retton’s net worth comes from endorsements she secured after winning the Olympics in 1984. She made a considerable amount of money appearing in commercials for brands like Wheaties, shampoo companies, and more. These endorsement deals were likely her most substantial source of income later on.
04
of 08Business Ventures
While specific details on her investments are not widely publicized, her involvement in business and public speaking engagements provides insight into her activities beyond gymnastics.
Business and Innovation Forum: Retton has been involved in business-related events, such as headlining the Business and Innovation Forum in Kerrville, Texas, where she shared her experiences and insights from her gymnastics career to inspire business owners and entrepreneurs.
Divorce: In addition to her business ventures, it’s reported that Retton received about $2 million from her 2018 divorce. This aspect of her personal life has had a financial impact, contributing to her net worth and financial considerations.
05
of 08Philanthropy
Throughout her career, Mary Lou Retton has been committed to giving back and supporting charitable causes, especially those related to youth health and her local community.
Retton has been an active supporter and participant in the Discover Fitness Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving fitness opportunities and well-being for children. By lending her name and time to their initiatives, she furthers their mission to empower youth through health and activity.
The gymnast has also been a staunch supporter of various nonprofits in her home state of West Virginia. Retton regularly participates in local fundraising events and campaigns to benefit community organizations.
Retton’s philanthropic spirit was evident in 2018 when she faced significant medical bills from knee surgery. A fundraising campaign brought in over $450,000 in donations, far more than the final medical costs. True to her values, Retton’s family pledged to donate all remaining funds to charity once the bills were paid.
06
of 08Personal Life
Mary Lou Retton’s personal life has been closely followed by the public, given her status as an American Olympic icon.
Family
In 1990, Retton married Shannon Kelley, a former quarterback at the University of Texas. The couple was married for nearly 30 years and had four daughters together: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma. Kelley was often by Retton’s side at public appearances, supporting her over the course of their marriage.
Divorce
However, in February 2018, Retton and Kelley finalized their divorce after being separated for two years. Retton has spoken openly about the difficulties of her divorce, describing it as one of the toughest challenges she has faced.
According to reports, the divorce settlement resulted in Retton receiving approximately $2 million from Kelley. This contributed significantly to her net worth following the split.
Health Issues
Despite the divorce, Retton remains very close to her daughters. Her family rallied around her when she fell critically ill with pneumonia in October 2023. Retton’s daughter McKenna provided updates on her mother’s health status, showcasing the tight bond of the family.
07
of 08Real Estate and Assets
While comprehensive details on Mary Lou Retton’s assets and valuables are not publicly available, some reports suggest that she owns a substantial home in Texas, approximately 9,000 square feet in size.
08
of 08Mary Lou Retton’s Quotes
Here are some inspiring quotes from Mary Lou Retton that provide insight into her mindset and values.
- On Being the Best Version of Yourself
- “As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we’ve been given.” Goodreads
- On Optimism
- “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” Quora
- On Achieving Success
- “Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.” Bookey