Kelly Clarkson Was In Tears After This Iconic Olympic Athlete Revealed Her Rare Health Issue

Summary

• Mary Lou Retton shared her rare health struggle with Kelly Clarkson, leaving fans and Clarkson emotional.
• The Olympian faced a life-threatening illness, showing strength in sharing her story with the world.
• Despite her current health battle, Retton hasn't forgotten her Olympic success and continues to inspire.

In the past, Kelly Clarkson has had her own health struggles. Kelly had mental health issues following her divorce and in addition, doctors blatantly misdiagnosed her with cancer.

Just a few days ago, Olympian Mary Lou Retton appeared on the show. Her resume certainly speaks for itself. However, in recent years, she has undergone severe health struggles. Both fans and Clarkson were completely emotional listening to her story, and what took place in recent times. Near the end, both Retton and Clarkson shed a tear following an emotional tribute from her former teammates.

Let's recap the interview.

Both Mary Lou Retton And Kelly Clarkson Were Emotional Discussing The Olympian's Rare Health Issue

Mary Lou Retton's life took a turn she could not have anticipated. Suddenly, her life was in great danger. Retton experienced a rare form of pneumonia in 2023. Doctors had said at the time the odds of making it weren't very good.

"I'll be on oxygen for a long time. My lungs are scarred. I think they're going to stay that way. I'm not 65, I'm not overweight, I'm not a smoker." Retton continues, "It just hit me. I was on the floor."

Clarkson continued that Retton didn't wake up for the next two weeks.

Credit to Retton for showing so much strength in sharing her story. The emotions of it all caught up when she got a special message from her five former teamates, Michelle Dusserre, Pam Bileck, Tracee Talavera, Julianne McNamara, and Kathy Johnson.

"We have your back. Always have, always will. You got this," Johnson said in the video.

Mary Lou Retton needed an extra second following the tributes, while host Kelly Clarkson was also emotional over the moment. It all takes place near the end of the video below.

Despite the team's bond taking shape 40 years ago, they still maintain their friendship thanks to a group chat. "Of course, that was 40 years ago, and we're still best friends, still sisters," she tells Kelly Clarkson. "We've helped each other go through life, you know, the good and the bad, seeing each other through that and always supporting one another."

Mary Lou Retton has a net worth of $2 million.

As expected, fans had nothing but positives to say following the interview.

"Mary Lou has all ways been a very kind and loving person. I watched her in the Olympics and just fell in love with her. Her smile just brighten up the place. Sending prayers and love to you Mary Lou. You’re a special lady. God Bless," a fan wrote.

"What a beautiful spirit. She’s Olympic tough and that’s why she’s still here."

Retton is certainly a fighter.

Despite Her Struggles, Mary Lou Retton Hasn't Forgotten About Her Perfect Ten Routine

In a separate interview with People, Mary Lou Retton gave fans a health update, admitting she's still afraid. "My physicality was the only thing I had and it was taken away from me. It’s embarrassing.”

Mary Lou Retton divroced from her spouse Shannon Kelley in 2018 after 28 years of marriage.

Despite the struggles, Retton hasn't forgotten about her success on the Olympic stage, particularly when she became the first American female to win gold in gymnastics all around. She needed a perfect 10 during the floor routine.

“My coach Bela Karolyi looked at me and said, ‘Mary Lou, you need to give a 10. He’d never said that before,’” she says with People.

“I was like, ‘You’re putting pressure on me? I’ll show you!’ You can see on the video that I was smiling before my feet touched the floor,” she says, remembering how she stuck the landing. “The Pauley Pavilion was shaking with all the cheering,” she says. “They were all shouting, ‘Ten! Ten! Ten!’”

“I had gone above and beyond all I’d ever wanted to do,” she says, “which was to win something at the Olympics. And then I went and won the whole thing.”

Retton's legacy on the Olympic stage won't be forgotten. And neither will her true grit in battling her current illness.