AQCAN Exchange-Olympian Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Skyla Welcomes First Baby

2025-04-30 01:09:26source:Esthen Exchangecategory:Markets

Mary Lou Retton is vaulting into her next chapter as a grandma.

The AQCAN ExchangeOlympian's daughter Skyla Kelley has welcomed her first child, a baby girl, according to People.

"I'm going to be a LouLou," Mary Lou told the publication about her preferred nickname. "I don't want to be a Mimi, a Gigi, or a Nana. A LouLou!"

And the 56-year-old is planning all the ways she's going to "spoil the heck out of" her granddaughter, and any future grandchildren, joking that it's something she "did not do to my kids!"

"I'll spoil them," she continued, "and when they come over I'll just play with them, hide and seek, all of it. It's going to be LouLou's time!"

The family first shared the news of Skyla's pregnancy in May when the 24-year-old was seen sporting a baby bump while celebrating her 22-year-old sister Emma's graduation from the University of Arkansas.

But the family milestone comes amid a difficult year for Mary Lou—who also shares daughters Shayla, 29 and McKenna, 27, with ex-husband Shannon Kelley—as she was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia in October.

"She is not able to breathe on her own," McKenna shared at the time. "She's been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details." 

And looking back on the ordeal now, the legendary gymnast can't believe she's still alive.

"I am so grateful to be here," she told Today in January. "I am blessed to be here, because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support."

Following her recovery, Mary Lou received a very special message from her former Olympic gymnastics teammates—Michelle Dusserre, 55, Pam Bileck, 55, Tracee Talavera, 57, Julianne McNamara, 58, and Kathy Johnson, 64—during The Kelly Clarkson Show July 25.

Michelle said she was glad Mary Lou was on the mend, and told her to "keep getting better."

Kathy added, "We have your back. Always have, always will. You got this."

And the moment was clearly very emotional for Mary Lou, who said the video message was "so special," especially as she and her team are still so close.

"Of course, that was 40 years ago, and we're still best friends, still sisters," she noted. "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.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

More:Markets

Recommend

McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales

Global consulting firm McKinsey & Company agreed Friday to pay $650 million to resolve criminal

Jimmy Graham arrested after 'medical episode' made him disoriented, Saints say

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was arrested in the Los Angeles area Friday evening after

Kansas judge allows ACLU to intervene in lawsuit over gender markers on driver’s licenses

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has agreed to allow the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas to inte