- Emma Jean Kelly, the youngest child of Mary Lou Retton, is a talented gymnast.
- Emma Jean Kelly is a student-athlete who uses her passion for gymnastics to raise awareness and make a difference.
- Mary Lou Retton has been in the ICU, fighting for her life after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia.
Mary Lou Retton at the Women's Gymnastics Combined event at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. | Source: Getty Images
Emma Is Her Mom's Mini-Me
Gymnastics runs in the family of Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton. Mary's youngest daughter, Emma, has followed in her footsteps. Emma's passion for gymnastics began as early as the eighth grade.
Now 21, attending the University of Arkansas as a student-athlete, Emma has been actively engaged in the sport. She said enrolling at the University of Arkansas has been a blessing, opening her to many opportunities.
Mary Lou Retton poses at "Dancing with the Stars" Season 27 at CBS Televison City on October 2, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
At a young age, Emma is already making a positive impact through her involvement in gymnastics. She uses the sport to raise awareness and to support The Reynolds Cancer House and NWA Children's Hospital.
Mary Lou Retton and Sasha Farber pose at "Dancing with the Stars" Season 27 at CBS Televison City on September 24, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Emma is her mom's mini-me. Back in 2022, when her mother took to her Instagram to share photos of Emma and congratulate her after her team won, fans couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance.
Many took to the comments section to share their thoughts. One fan wrote, "She looks just like you." Another person commented, "Awesome 👏👏👏 she's your twin." Another person shared, "She has your smile! Congratulations! "Someone else wrote, "Beautiful! She smiles like her mom!"
In a recent post by Emma featuring her mother, the photo garnered a lot of attention from her fans, with many highlighting their beauty and resemblance, with one fan referring to them as twins.
Mary Has Been Fighting for Her Life in ICU
Mary has been battling a rare form of pneumonia that has left her fighting for her life in the ICU for weeks. According to her other daughter, McKenna Kelley, the disease has left Mary unable to breathe independently, placing her in the intensive care unit.
While McKenna did not reveal many details about their mother's health condition out of respect for privacy, she did admit that Mary was not insured and humbly asked people for financial support to help with the hospital bill. A Spotfund fundraiser has been set up for well-wishers to donate any amount to support Mary.
On October 11, 2023, Mary's daughters, Emma, McKenna, Skyla, and Shyla, shared a joint statement on McKenna's Instagram page. In the post, the sisters thanked everyone for their unwavering support while updating fans on their mom's health status, adding that Mary was still in the ICU but getting the best medical treatment.
They concluded their statement by asking fans to continue praying for them. "We ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts for our Mom," they wrote.
Mary rose to fame in 1984 during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles when she scooped a Gold Medal in the All-Around in women's gymnastics. She won four other medals, becoming the only athlete to win many during that year's Olympic games.
Mary's achievements were so significant that in 1997, she received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Mary shares her four daughters with her ex-husband, Shannon Kelley.
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