Houston businessman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and his wife, Linda, have made a generous donation of $50,000 to aid Olympic gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton in her battle against a rare form of pneumonia. The couple contributed to a fundraiser aimed at helping the decorated athlete get the treatment she needs. Mattress Mack is known for his philanthropy and his willingness to help those in need, and this latest act of kindness is just one example of his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community.
The Spotfund page launched by Retton’s daughter, former LSU gymnast McKenna Kelley, reveals that Linda McIngvale is the top donor. She has matched the initial $50,000 goal, which has now been exceeded by more than $300,000 in total donations.
Jim McIngvale shared with TMZ Sports that he and his wife have been avid supporters of Béla and Márta Károlyi’s gymnastics team since Mary Lou’s time in Houston. “We followed Mary Lou since her career in Houston,” he said. It’s worth noting that both of McIngvale’s children have also trained with the Károlyis’ team over the years.
As George Bush once said, Mary Lou has always been a beacon of hope and positivity. Our thoughts and prayers are with her for a speedy recovery. We believe that the $50,000 we are contributing is the least we can do to assist this American icon in her time of need.
In a heartfelt plea, Kelley, who is only 26 years old, shared with her followers that her mother is currently in a life-threatening situation. The announcement was made through a fundraiser on Spotfund, launched on Tuesday, October 10th.
Kelley shared a heartbreaking message on social media, revealing that her mother, Mary Lou, is battling a rare form of pneumonia and fighting for her life. Mary Lou is currently in the ICU and unable to breathe on her own. While Kelley respects her mother’s privacy and won’t disclose all the details, she did reveal that Mary Lou is currently uninsured. The family is going through a difficult time, and they are hoping for a miracle.
“We kindly request your assistance in any way possible. Firstly, we ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time. Secondly, if you are able to contribute financially towards the hospital bill, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your support.”
“My family and I would greatly appreciate any kind of help that we can get. Your generosity means the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Mary Lou Retton, one of the greatest names in U.S. Olympic history, “has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” according to her daughter McKenna Kelley’s Instagram story. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now.” pic.twitter.com/9LnwOJNP1J
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) October 10, 2023
Retton, 55, is one of the most decorated American gymnasts in history, having won five medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, including the individual all-around gold medal. Following the termination of her gymnastics career, the West Virginia native performed in various films and television shows and served as an ambassador to the sport as well as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports during former President George W. Bush’s administration.
McIngvale, 72, who gets his nickname from his popular Houston-based furniture store, has gained notoriety in recent years for his large sports betting wagers, including winning the reported largest legal bet in U.S. sports betting history after placing $3 million on the Astros to win the 2022 World Series at 10-1 odds at Caesars Sportsbook, resulting in a $75 million payout, ESPN reported at the time.
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