Mary Lou Retton's daughter reveals her recovery may take longer than expected as she had a 'pretty scary setback

'She is still in ICU and we're just working through some things as far as her setback goes,' Mary Lou Retton's daughter Shayla said
PUBLISHED OCT 19, 2023
Mary Lou Retton is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia (Mary Lou, Shayla/Instagram)
Mary Lou Retton is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia (Mary Lou, Shayla/Instagram)

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Mary Lou Retton is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia a few days ago.

Her fans were excited when her eldest daughter Shayla shared that the former Olympic gymnast is doing well, but another update came on Wednesday, October 18, over her social media.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shayla Kelley Schrepfer (@shaylaschrepfer)


 

Shayla shared her mother's recovery 'is not a smooth one'

The athlete posted the video with the caption “Update” on her Instagram account. Shayla shared that her mother is still in intensive care unit. “Basically, at the beginning of this week, we were going on the up and up,” Shayla Schrepfer said.

Just last weekend, Retton’s daughter Schrepfer and McKenna Keller, in a joint statement, shared the “uplifting” news that the olympian's “recovery [was] steadily unfolding.”

"We're thrilled to share some uplifting updates! Mom's progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered," Schrepfer and Keller wrote.

In Wednesday's clip, Shayla shared that the family is “excited” by the progress she’s making, but it hasn’t been a smooth process.

“Basically, at the beginning of this week, we were going on the up and up,” Schrepfer, 28, said.

Last weekend, Schrepfer and her sister McKenna Keller had shared — in a joint statement on Instagram — the “uplifting” news that Retton’s “recovery [was] steadily unfolding.”

“We were so excited, seeing so much progress and then yesterday we had a pretty scary setback. She is still in ICU and we're just working through some things as far as her setback goes. So I just wanted to give an update there,” she added.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shayla Kelley Schrepfer (@shaylaschrepfer)


 

Mary Lou Retton is 'exhausted' as she recovers from pneumonia

“She had a better day today, which is great,” the 28-year-old also shared that her mother is “really really exhausted.”

“I'm getting so many messages and emails and just, it's so great to see people love on her, so… that's it,” she concluded the video.

Mary Lou Retton was the first American to win an individual all-around gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life," Keller wrote in a message posted on the fundraising page.

"She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she is not insured," she added.

Schrepfer earlier told People, “Our number one concern is the well-being of our mom. That being said, being by her side is our first priority.”

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025