Mary Lou Retton receives huge donation as she battles serious illness

Texas businessman Jim McIngvale, better known as “Mattress Mack,” is among those who have Olympic icon Mary Lou Retton in his thoughts and prayers as she battles a rare form of pneumonia.

The Gallery Furniture owner, along with his wife Linda, donated $50,000 to a fundraiser set up for the former gymnastics star to help cover the cost of her medical bills. The family said Retton does not have medical insurance.

The family initially sought $50,000, but more than $349,000 has been raised as of Thursday morning.

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Mary Lou Retton yells “play ball” before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

McIngvale told TMZ Sports that his wife went through a similar health scare.

“My parents taught me, and I try to teach my children, and Linda certainly lives that life, that the essence of living is giving,” he said. “People get in a hard spot, let’s help ’em out because one of these days, all of us will be in a hard spot. 

“We’re thrilled to help our Mary Lou, we pray for her speedy recovery and, again, I’ve lived my life by that motto — ‘the essence of living is giving.'”

McIngvale added that they had been fans of the Olympian since before she was thrust onto the global scene during the 1984 Olympics.

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale throws out a ceremonial first pitch as the Houston Astros play the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park on July 4, 2023 in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

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“We followed Mary Lou since her career in Houston,” he said. “My wife and I have always been a huge support of Béla and Márta Károlyi’s gymnastics team. My son worked out with them on the team for years, my daughter did as well.

“Mary Lou was always a shining point of light, as George Bush would say, and we pray for Mary Lou’s recovery and the $50,000 is the least we could do to help an American icon get better.”

Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, thanked everyone for the “outpouring of love” for her mom. She was still in the ICU but was getting “incredible medical care.”

Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, Retton’s other daughter, added that she was “overwhelmed” by the support.

Mary Lou Retton, Women’s gymnastics competition, Pauley Pavilion, at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Aug. 1, 1984. (Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

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“We didn’t even realize that there are so many people out there that love her just as much as we do,” she said in a video. “And it’s been a really hard time for our family. And so just seeing that people love her like that and showing her that support has just meant the world to us and to her, so thank you.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.