Meet Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton captivated America when she won Olympic Gold in 1984. Now she’s helping others achieve their goals with Mary Lou’s Weigh. “People who know me understand that I don’t believe in quick fixes,” explains Mary Lou. “When it comes to weight loss or any goal, what’s required is a commonsense plan, proven tools, achievable goals and ongoing motivation. Staying motivated is often the hardest part and it’s an area in which I believe I can really help others.”

View Olympic Highlight Video

Birthplace:

Fairmont, West Virginia

Residence:

Houston, Texas

Birthdate:

January 24, 1968

Family Info:

Husband:
Shannon Kelley
Four children:
Shayla, McKenna,
Skyla, and Emma

Mary Lou’s Background

Biography

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 she won bronze medals for Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise. Her five medals were the most won by any athlete at the ’84 Olympics. She is the first American ever to win the Olympic All Around Title. A national sports survey found Mary Lou to be the most popular athlete in America.

Today, Mary Lou is in high demand as a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson. She also travels the world as a “Fitness Ambassador,” promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise.

Achievements

Highlighted Gymnastic Achievements:

Three American Cups (1983-1985), the only American to win Japan’s prestigious Chunichi Cup (1983), two U.S. Gymnastics Federation American Classics (1983-1984), and the All Around Title at the 1984 National Championships and Olympic Trials

View the full list of Achievements

1984 Won the All Around Gold Medal in Women’s Gymnastics at the Olympic Games (becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in gymnastics)
1984 Won silver medals for Team and Vault at the Olympic Games
1984 Won bronze medals for Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise at the Olympic Games
1984 Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year
1984 Associated Press Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
1984 Women’s Sports Foundation Athlete of the Year
1984 American Academy of Achievement Award
1985 USOC Olympic Hall of Fame (youngest inductee)
1985 World Almanac “25 Most Influential Women”
1986 NCC Citizen of the Year
1990 Top Ten “Most Admired” Public Figures
1992 Special Advisor, President’s Council on Physical Fitness
1992 Official White House Delegate, Summer Olympics
1993 AP National Survey “Most Popular Athlete in America”
1994 ‘Mary Lou Retton Award’ created by US Olympic Committee
1994 Fitness Magazine’s “25 Fittest People in the World”
1995 Flo Hyman Award
1997 Rated America’s Most Popular Athlete
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
2007 Named #1 in USA Today’s 25 Most Memorable Olympic Moments survey (1. Retton Vaults to Fame)
2008 Featured in the AT&T Blue Room at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Television:

Guiding Light, Knots Landing, Dream On, Baywatch, NBC commentator at the ’88 Olympic games, Gannet Broadcasting’s NBC affiliates air reporter for the ’96 Olympic Games, Co-Host for Road to Olympic Gold, a weekly television series.

Film:

Scrooged, Naked Gun 33 1/3, and Executive Producer and star of Mary Lou Retton’s Flip Flop Shop.

Print:

Mary Lou Retton’s Gateways to Happiness and a daily column writer for USA Today during the ’92 and ’96 Olympics.

Associations:

National Chairperson of the Children’s Miracle Network, Board of Governors for the Children’s Miracle Network, President’s Fitness Council Member under President Ronald Reagan and President George W. Bush.