BIRTHDATE: January 24, 1968
BIRTHPLACE: Fairmont, West Virginia
FAMILY INFO:The youngest of 5 children ( 3 boys, 2 girls) born to Lois and Ronnie Retton. Married Shannon Kelley December 29, 1990. Daughters Shayla Rae, born April 12, 1995, McKenna Lane, born April 15, 1997, Skyla Brae, born August 9, 2000, and Emma Jean, born June 20, 2002
RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas

Mary Lou Retton catapulted to international fame by winning the All Around Gold Medal in women’s gymnastics at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, becoming the first American woman ever to win a gold medal in gymnastics. She also won silver medals for Team and Vault, and bronze medals for Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise. Her five medals were the most won by any athlete at the ’84 Olympics. To this day she remains the only American ever to win the Olympic All Around Title.

Other victories include being the only woman to win three American Cups (1983 85), the only American to win Japan’s prestigious Chunichi Cup (1983), two U.S. Gymnastics Federation American Classics (1983 84), and the All Around title at both the 1984 National Championships and Olympic Trials. Mary Lou retired from competitive gymnastics in 1986.

Today, she continues to touch the lives of millions. A national sports survey found Mary Lou to the most popular athlete in America. She is in great demand as a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson and also travels the world as a “Fitness Ambassador” promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise. Mary Lou serves as national chairperson and sits on the Board of Governors of the Children’s Miracle Network. She was a commentator for NBC at the ’88 Olympic Games and wrote a daily column for USA Today at the ’92 and ’96 Olympics. At the ’96 Olympics in Atlanta, Mary Lou also served as an on air reporter for Gannett Broadcasting’s NBC affiliates the largest NBC affiliate group in the United States. In addition, she co hosted the weekly television series Road to Olympic Gold.

Mary Lou has appeared in the motion pictures Scrooged and Naked Gun 33 1/3. She has made appearances on numerous television shows including Guiding Light, Knots Landing and Dream On, and guest starred in one of the highest rated episodes of the series Baywatch.

1984

Sports Illustratcd Sportswoman of the Year
Associated Press Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
Women’s Sports Foundation Athlete of the Year
American Academy of Achievement Award

1985

USOC Olympic Hall of Fame (youngest inductee)
World Almanac “25 Most Influential Women”

1986

NCC Citizen of the Year

1990

Top Ten “Most Admired ” Public Figures

1992 

Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame (youngest inductee)
Special Advisor, President’s Council on Physical Fitness
Official White House Delegate, Summer Olympics

1993

AP National Survey “Most Popular Athlete in America”

1994

‘Mary Lou Retton Award’ created by US Olympic Comm.
Fitness Magazine’s “25 Fittest People in the World”

1995

Flo Hyman Award

1998

Official White House Delegate, Winter Olympics

2000 

Humanitarian Hall of Fame Recipient

2002

Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient

2004

Ms. Sportsman Award (1st in their history)

2005

Texas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

2006

Member of President’s Council on Physical Fitness

2007

USA Today #1 Most Memorable Olympic Moment in the past 25 years

2008

West Virginia Hall of Fame

We asked Mary Lou her favorites in the following categories:

Favorite Singer:
Luther Vandross

Favorite Book:
The Bible

Favorite TV show: / movie:
24 / Rocky (the original)

Favorite Hobby:
Cooking

Favorite Olympic Moment:
(Opening ceremonies) Walking into the LA coliseum for the first time.

Favorite Food:
Italian

Favorite Vacation:
Hawaii

Favorite Family Activity:
Playing board games and cards.

Best Advice:
Never ever give up on your dreams…work hard!
Best thing about motherhood: The unconditional LOVE you give and receive and knowing that I have the ability to grow smart, strong young women.

Best Thing About Motherhood:
The unconditional LOVE you give and receive and knowing that I have the ability to grow smart, strong young women.

“I hardly need to tell you what a smash you were at our two meetings in Miami Beach. The standing ovations that you received surely attested to our people’s warm regard for you. I thank you for the care you took in preparing for your talk and for the warm spirit you projected unfailingly.”

- Peter LaGuardia, The Equitable

“Your presentation was a great inspiration. An amazing number of employees have since shared stories with me of personal triumphs they were able to achieve given the impetus of your presentation. It is truly remarkable how far a motivational speech can really go!”

- Margaret Lasecke, Fujitsu American, Inc.

“Your return trip to Syracuse was certainly a triumph in every way. A perfect 10.I’mSure I speak for everyone in saying the Mary Lou spirit touched us all.”

- Nancy Duffy, Empire State Games

“The look on the faces of the youth as Mary Lou spoke said it all. They were truly inspired and awe-struck. It is so important for today’s youth to have someone to look up to and Mary Lou proved to be quite the positive role model.”

- Pamela Bichum, YMCA