Mary Lou Retton fundraiser brings in over $275k in donations – including $50k from Mattress Mack’s wife Linda McIngvale – as Olympic icon continues to fight for her life in hospital

A fundraiser set up to benefit Olympic Games legend Mary Lou Retton as she fights for her life in an ICU has raised more than $275,000 in donations.

Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley announced Tuesday that her mother is currently battling a rare form of pneumonia and has spent more than a week in the hospital.

In order to cover medical expenses, Kelley has a SpotFund account and pleaded with the public to ‘help my mother continue to fight the disease’.

The fundraiser was set with a goal of reaching $50,000, and it has already raised more than five times that amount – with $275,566 in donations made at the time of writing.

Linda McIngvale – the wife of Texas businessman and sports better Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale – donated a notable $50,000 to the fundraiser.

Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale’s wife Linda (left) donated $50,000 to a fundraiser set up to benefit Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton (second from right).

Retton, who made history as the first American woman to win all-around gold at the 1984 Olympics, is currently fighting for her life in the hospital with a rare form of pneumonia

So far, almost 4,900 people have donated to the foundation and almost half have also left words of encouragement in the comments.

Kelley announced not only that Retton was in the hospital and fighting for her life, but also that she was uninsured.

“Please help my mom keep fighting,” Kelley wrote. ‘Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she is not insured.

‘We ask that if you can help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you can help us with finances for the hospital bill.’

Retton, 55, already made history in 1984 as the first American woman to win the all-around gold at the Olympics, while she also won two silvers and a bronze in the same year.

‘GET HEALTHY SOON YOU HAVE GAVE US ALL SO MUCH TO ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU,’ read one comment on the fundraiser.

“Mary Lou, you are America’s sweetheart! Prayers for you and your family. May God bless you with a speedy recovery. Brenda’ reads another comment.

The fundraiser for her medical expenses, set up by Retton’s daughter, raised more than $275k

‘Get better soon. You are in our country’s thoughts,’ said another.

After her retirement, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.

And three years ago, she became the first woman elected to the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.