Mary Lou Retton divorces her husband Shannon Kelley after 27 years of marriage: "I felt very lonely"

By Natalie Stone

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Mary Lou Retton had one of the most difficult moments of her life this year: a divorce. "data-reactid =" 23 "> Mary Lou Retton has experienced one of the most difficult moments of her life this year: a divorce.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" I fell into divorce I do not know This is the first time I say it in public, "said the retiree The gymnast, an Olympic gold medalist, told her dance partner, Sasha Farber, during the exclusive preview of PEOPLE during the episode of Dance with the stars"data-reactid =" 24 ">" I had a divorce. People do not know it. This is the first time I say it in public, "said the retired The gymnast, an Olympic gold medalist, told her dance partner, Sasha Farber, during the exclusive preview of PEOPLE during the episode of Dance with the stars.

"After 27 years," she said of her ex-husband, Shannon Kelley.

Retton, who married Kelley in 1990, said he had finalized his divorce in February, "so it's all new."

Retton, 50, admitted that the separation "was difficult".

"I felt very lonely," she told Farber.

Although their marriage has ended, the athlete and his ex are on good terms.

"It's something that really had to happen a long time ago," she said. "We still love each other, but we were no longer good together."

Throughout the process, Retton felt alone, but she had support from the four daughters of the couple: Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, ​​16. .

"Thank God for my four daughters," she said. "They loved me unconditionally."

Since Retton joined the reality show series, she has learned a lot about the techniques of ballroom dancing – and herself.

"When I came in, I knew I was starting again and I was scared. But now, I know I'm doing it again, but I'm excited, "she told Farber. "There is this mental switch."

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Dance with the stars airs Mondays (at 8 pm ET) on ABC. "data-reactid =" 37 ">Dance with the stars broadcasts Mondays (8 pm ET) on ABC.