Mary Lou Retton Divorce: Mary Lou Retton is a former gymnast who made history by becoming the first American woman to win the individual all-around gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
She also won multiple silver and bronze medals, which made her a beloved figure in the world of American sports. But what happened to her after she retired from gymnastics? And why did she decide to end her 27-year-long marriage to Shannon Kelley?
Who is Mary Lou Retton?
Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Her inspiration came from watching Nadia Comăneci, a renowned Romanian gymnast who achieved the first perfect 10 in Olympic history during the 1976 Montreal Games.
Mary Lou began her gymnastics journey at a local club and later moved to Houston, Texas, to train under Bela and Marta Karolyi, the coaches responsible for Nadia Comăneci’s success.
Mary Lou rose to fame in the U.S. gymnastics scene, winning numerous competitions, including the American Cup, U.S. Nationals, and the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984.
Despite a knee injury that required surgery just before the Olympics, she put on a remarkable performance at the Games, securing the all-around gold medal. She also won silver and bronze medals in various gymnastics events.
Who is Shannon Kelley?
Shannon Kelley is a former college football quarterback and businessman. He played for the University of Texas at Austin from 1985 to 1988, where he was the starting quarterback for part of the 1988 season.
Shannon and Mary Lou met while both working at an advertising agency in Houston in 1989. They married on December 29, 1990, and had four daughters together: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla, and Emma.
Kelley transitioned into the business world, working as a partner in an investment firm and as a real estate developer in Houston.
Later, he pursued a career in college coaching, serving as a quarterback coach at Fairmont State University, a running backs coach at California University of Pennsylvania, and an assistant head coach at Houston Baptist University.
Why did Mary Lou Retton Divorce Shannon Kelley?
Mary Lou Retton revealed their divorce in October 2018 during her appearance on Dancing with the Stars. She explained that it was a decision that had been looming for some time. Although they still loved each other, they felt they were no longer compatible.
The divorce was emotionally challenging for both of them, and it affected their daughters. While she didn’t provide specific reasons for the divorce, she wanted to be honest with her fans about her personal struggles.
Mary Lou Retton’s Past Relationships
Before marrying Shannon Kelley, Mary Lou had two significant relationships with other athletes. Her first relationship was with Phil Boggs, a former Olympic diver who won a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Games.
They dated for about three years before breaking up in 1983. Her second relationship was with Greg Kelser, a former NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons and the Seattle SuperSonics, but it was relatively short-lived.
Mary Lou Retton’s Current Relationship Status
As of now, Mary Lou Retton has not publicly confirmed if she is in a new relationship following her divorce from Shannon Kelley. She has expressed happiness with her life and is open to what the future may bring, although she admitted to some apprehension about dating again.
Her priority remains her close relationship with her ex-husband and their athletic daughters. Additionally, she continues her work as a sports commentator and motivational speaker and has been a strong advocate for fitness and wellness.
She has also faced health challenges, having been diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia in October 2023, and she has received support from her family and fans.
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Conclusion
Mary Lou Retton, a former gymnast and Olympic gold medalist, recently announced her divorce from Shannon Kelley. The 27-year-long marriage, which began in 1989, ended in 2018 after they felt they were no longer compatible.
Retton had two previous relationships with athletes Phil Boggs and Greg Kelser. She has not confirmed her current relationship status, but has expressed happiness with her life and is open to the future.
She continues to work as a sports commentator and motivational speaker, advocating for fitness and wellness. Retton has also faced health challenges, including a rare form of pneumonia.
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