Mary Lou Retton’s 4 Children: All About Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma

Mary Lou Retton is a mother of four children.

The former gymnast – who made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles by becoming the first American to win an all-around gold medal – shares four daughters, Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma, ​​with ex-husband Shannon Kelley.

Following Mary Lou’s example, all of her daughters took up gymnastics at an early age — a sport that the proud mom supported throughout her childhood. However, not everyone played sports at a higher level.

“I have dedicated my four daughters to the sport I love. It is woven into every fabric of my being. We are a gymnastics family,” Mary Lou said. Today in 2019. “Three stayed with it, one was a cheerleader. Her path was different from mine and I’m very proud of everyone.”

Mary Lou’s children have also been very supportive of their mom over the years, especially when she took on new endeavors after her retirement in 1986, including TV appearances joy and the 27th season Dancing with the stars.

Recently, Mary Lou’s daughter, McKenna, shared on her Instagram Story that her mom is “fighting for her life” in the ICU with a rare form of pneumonia. Along with the news, she included a link to the Spotfund page dedicated to Mary Lou.

Read on to learn more about Mary Lou’s four children.

Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is ‘fighting for her life’ in intensive care, daughter says

Shayla Kelley

Mary Lou and Shannon Kelley welcomed their first child, daughter Shayla Kelley, in April 1995. She is the oldest of the Olympian’s four children.

Shayla graduated from Baylor University where she met her husband, Wyatt Schrepfer, who played football for the school. They got engaged in December 2018 and married in January 2020.

As the older sister of three children, Shayla often posts photos with her younger siblings and writes how “grateful” she is for them. She also writes sweet tributes to Mary Lou, whom she calls “the most loving, supportive and caring mom.”

In January 2020, Shayla and her sisters “had the incredible opportunity” to induct Mary Lou into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame, making their mom the first woman ever to receive the honor. “Mom, we are so proud of you and will ALWAYS cheer you on!” she wrote on Instagram.

Following in her mother’s athletic footsteps, Shayla is a competitive bodybuilder and competes in the NPC Bikini Show. He chronicles his journey on his YouTube channel with vlogs.

Fundraiser Mary Lou Retton reaches $250,000 in donations as she ‘fights for her life’ in intensive care

McKenna Kelley

Mary Lou Retton and her daughter McKenna Kelley.

McKenna Kelley/ Instagram

Mary Lou and Shannon welcomed their second child, daughter McKenna, in April 1997. She also has her mother’s gymnastic genes.

McKenna did gymnastics as a youngster and immediately “fell in love” with the sport. In 2019, she posted her comeback video on Instagram along with a letter she wrote to her younger self in the caption.

“To the girl who fell in love with gymnastics, I’m so thankful you never looked back! Blood, sweat and tears, but a sport that gave me so much more, that grew me into someone I’m so proud of,” she wrote in part.

McKenna graduated from Louisiana State University. Just days after scoring a near-perfect 10 on floor at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, she and her mother appeared on Today show to open your relationship.

Mary Lou Retton and daughter McKenna Kelley on the Today Show.

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

“I don’t think I understood the enormity of what she did and the revolutionary gymnastics she was doing at the time. She’s just my mom to me,” McKenna said, adding that after deciding to do gymnastics, she never felt like her mother was pushing her to succeed.

“I think people expect this detailed answer that she made me run at 6 in the morning … but she’s just a mom to me. That’s all she is,” replied the daughter.

McKenna finished her career as a four-time All-American for the Tigers before graduating with a degree in psychology in May 2019. According to her Instagram bio, McKenna currently works as a preschool teacher and coach.

Skyla Kelley

Mary Lou Retton and her daughter Skyla Kelley.

Mary Lou Retton/ Instagram

Mary Lou and Shannon welcomed their third child, daughter Skyla, in August 2000. Although she didn’t do gymnastics like her older sister and mom, she was a varsity cheerleader during high school.

After graduating, Skyla continued her studies at Texas Tech University, where she was involved in Greek life and joined a sorority, according to her Instagram, before graduating in 2023.

Although her parents divorced in 2018, she still maintains a close relationship with her father and posted a sweet tribute to the “world’s best dad” on Father’s Day 2020.

“Thank you for all the life lessons you’ve taught me and for everything you do for me,” she began the post on Instagram. “You raised us 4 girls well and thank you for that. I love you Higgs👴🏻❤️.”

Mary Lou Retton’s daughter on Olympian’s ‘landmark’ gymnastics career: ‘She’s just a mom’

Emma Kelley

Mary Lou Retton and her daughter Emma Kelley.

Mary Lou Retton/ Instagram

Mary Lou and Shannon welcomed their fourth child, daughter Emma, ​​in June 2002.

Like her big sister McKenna and her mom, Emma took up gymnastics and went on to compete at a high level. She is a student-athlete at the University of Arkansas, which she said “has been one of the greatest blessings and opportunities.”

So Emma decided to use her platform to “help spread awareness and help others” by dedicating her 2023 season to The Reynolds Cancer House & NWA Children’s Hospital. “I hope you will all join me in this initiative to be a light and a change for someone else this year!!” she wrote in part on Instagram.

Emma has the support of her Olympian mom, who often encourages her daughter’s social media posts. In addition, Mary Lou also shares sweet messages to Emma on her Instagram page.

In June, the proud mom posted a tribute to her youngest daughter to celebrate her 21st birthday. “21 years ago today I had the privilege of giving birth to this extraordinary young woman… you continue to inspire me and so many others,” Mary Lou wrote in the caption.

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Source: HIS Education