Mary Lou Retton Reveals Powerful Comeback Story: What Happened and Why It Matters

Lead Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton, now 56, has revealed that she still needs daily oxygen nearly two years after a life-threatening bout of what doctors describe as a “rare form of pneumonia,” and specialists remain uncertain about the underlying cause of her continuing lung damage. A Medical Mystery That Won’t Let Go Retton spent a month in an intensive-care unit in October 2023, much of it intubated, while her four daughters were told to prepare for the worst. Although she ultimately pulled through, extensive scarring has left her lungs permanently weakened, forcing the 1984 all-around gold medalist to rely on portable oxygen 24/7 and to sleep with a concentrator by her bedside. “Give me a hip to rehab, give me a shoulder — the lungs are a different beast,” she said in a new interview, admitting that the extended recovery has been mentally taxing. Daily Life on Oxygen The former gymnast says ordinary tasks such as climbing stairs or grocery shopping now require meticulous planning around battery life and airflow settings. She has begun pulmonary-rehab sessions three times a week, practicing controlled breathing and low-impact cardio while tethered to a cannula. Doctors have warned that the scar tissue may never fully heal, meaning supplemental oxygen could be part of her routine for years, if not permanently. Support From Her Daughters and Fans Retton credits her daughters — Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma — with managing medication schedules, driving her to appointments and shielding her from social-media negativity. The same daughters organized the 2023 crowd-funding campaign that drew more than $459,000 in donations after it emerged that Retton had no medical insurance at the time of her hospitalization. “The prayers and the pennies kept me alive,” she said, emphasizing that the remaining funds are now earmarked for ongoing respiratory therapy and specialist consultations. 40 Years After Perfection Last summer marked the 40th anniversary of Retton’s perfect-10 vault at the Los Angeles Games — a moment that made her the first American woman to win the Olympic all-around title and the first female athlete on a Wheaties box. While Paris 2024 revived nostalgia, Retton admits the milestone felt bittersweet as she watched from her Texas home with an oxygen hose. “My body once did impossible things; now I celebrate just walking to the mailbox,” she joked, adding that she hopes to attend the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships in Barcelona if her doctors clear the flight. What’s Next in Her Treatment Plan • High-resolution CT scans every six months to monitor progressive scarring • Immunological testing to rule out undiagnosed autoimmune disease • An experimental antifibrotic drug trial slated for late summer • Continued mental-health counseling to combat post-ICU depression Advocacy on the Horizon Retton says the ordeal has turned her into an unintentional advocate for affordable respiratory care and better post-pneumonia follow-up. She plans to launch a foundation this fall that will distribute pulse oximeters and portable concentrators to uninsured patients. “I didn’t train 40 hours a week for a decade to let this be the final chapter,” she declared. Why the Story Resonates Search interest around “Mary Lou Retton health update 2025,” “rare pneumonia symptoms” and “oxygen therapy side effects” spiked after her latest interview, underscoring how many COVID-era readers remain anxious about unexplained respiratory illness. Retton’s transparency about lingering lung damage offers a relatable counterpoint to the perception that healthy athletes are invincible. Key Takeaways for Readers • Persistent shortness of breath after pneumonia warrants specialist care; lung scarring can emerge months later. • Daily oxygen is no longer confined to hospital settings; portable devices weigh as little as five pounds and run on rechargeable batteries. • Emotional recovery from critical illness often parallels — and sometimes outpaces — the physical journey. Retton’s closing message to fans: “I scored a perfect 10 when America needed a hero. Now I need a little more time — and a lot more oxygen — but I’m still in the fight.”