Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia.
She started gymnastics at the age of four and quickly showed her talent in the sport.
Retton became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
She also won two silver and two bronze medals at the same Olympics.
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 and went on to become a motivational speaker and television commentator.
In 1997, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Today, Retton remains an American icon and a role model for young gymnasts around the world.