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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'16 and Pregnant's 'Whitney Purvis Details Son's Health Issues Before His Death, Says It Was ‘So Hard for Him to Accept' (Exclusive)
During an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Whitney Purvis shared more details about her son Weston's health issues, saying he endured "more than what a kid should go through" The 16 and Pregnant alum said that having diabetes was "something hard for him to accept" The former reality star announced on Monday, June 2, that her son died via FacebookWhitney Purvis is revealing new details about her son's health before his tragic death on Monday, June 2. While speaking exclusively with PEOPLE about her son Weston's death, the 16 and Pregnant alum, 33, shared more details about the teen's health, sharing that her son had more health issues than "what a kid should go through." "He had a lot of medical problems, more than what a kid should go through," says Purvis, who shares her two children with ex Weston Gosa Sr. "He was born with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency when he was a baby, but then when he got older, he was diagnosed with Addison's disease, and then that's what brought out the diabetes." "He hated having diabetes, and he hated the needles. He would cry and ask, 'Why did that have to happen to him? Why did he have to have diabetes?' " she explains. "It was just something hard for him to accept." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The former reality star first announced the death of her son on Monday, June 2, in a Facebook post. She added several photos of Gosa, with a few featuring herself. 'This is so hard to write. My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just dont understand. Oh my baby is gone and I don't know what to do with myself,' her announcement began. "He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true. How do you go on in life after losing a child? I'm in disbelief, this cannot be happening. I don't want it to be real,' she wrote. 'I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can't describe the pain I am feeling.' She continued, 'I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. God, I love you so much. You are my heart. I was so proud of the young man you were becoming. I just can't go on without you. Rest in Peace, my angel. You are gone too soon. April 2, 2009 - June 2, 2025.' The following day, she shared a new post on Facebook and noted that she's been appreciative of all the support she's received in the past few days. "Thank you everyone for reaching out, [and for the] kind comments and messages," she wrote. "It means more than you know." During her conversation with PEOPLE, she noted that the many messages on social media, as well as the donations to the Spotfund that Weston's stepmom, Amy Gosa, started to raise money for the funeral and headstone, have helped "make me feel better." "It's nice to see people care and care about him," she shares. "I'm very grateful for the support people have been giving me and giving his father and stepmom." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Purvis also shared new details about how she's been coping with the loss. She said that she feels like time has been "standing still, just frozen" since learning the news. "I can't distract myself," she tells PEOPLE. "It's going through my mind constantly. I hate to even pick up my phone." "When I'm not crying, I'm just staring at the ceiling," she continues through tears. "I never wanted to go through something like this. I mean, I know no one does, but you never think it'll happen to you, and I just can't even imagine a future now. I can't imagine going on after this." To donate to the Gosa family's funeral fund, visit the Spotfund page here. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Olympic Icon Mary Lou Retton Finally Addresses Recent DUI Arrest
Olympic gold medalist is speaking out for the first time following her May 17 arrest on a DUI charge in Marion County, West Virginia. The 57-year-old retired gymnast was charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. Retton was found behind the wheel of her Porsche in an AutoZone parking lot after witnesses reported erratic driving behavior. Officers at the scene noted a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and discovered an open screw-top bottle of wine in the vehicle. Mary Lou Retton failed all three phases of a standard field sobriety test and was later released after posting a $1,500 bond. In the weeks following the incident, Retton remained silent and reportedly out of contact with family members in her hometown of Fairmont. Some relatives told "Good Morning America" and Daily Mail they were unaware she was even in town until the arrest surfaced in the news. Now, Retton is addressing the situation publicly. In a statement shared with PEOPLE through her attorney Edmund J. Rollo, she said, 'I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses. To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry.' She added, 'I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support.' On Tuesday, June 10, Retton appeared in court and formally entered a no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge. She was fined $100, the standard penalty for first-time, non-aggravated DUI offenses in that jurisdiction. Her attorney emphasized that Retton 'asks for privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life.' Retton's statement comes amid growing concerns about her whereabouts in the days following her arrest. As The Blast previously reported, neighbors say her primary residence, a $550,000 home in Boerne, Texas, appears abandoned, with flyers and packages piling up at the doorstep and no sign of activity. According to those close to her, even loved ones have been unsure of her location in recent weeks. Although it's still unclear where Retton is currently staying, her appearance in court on June 10 provided some reassurance to her family, confirming that she is safe. Just months before her DUI arrest made headlines, Olympic legend Retton was in a very different kind of fight, one for her life. In October 2023, Retton was hospitalized in the ICU with a rare and severe form of pneumonia, her daughter McKenna revealed at the time. 'My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,' McKenna wrote in a now-deleted statement, per PEOPLE. 'She is not able to breathe on her own. She's been in the ICU for over a week now,' she added, also noting that her mother was uninsured and linking a Spotfund campaign to help cover medical costs. The public quickly rallied around the beloved gold medalist, raising funds and offering words of support during the frightening ordeal. In a July 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Retton opened up about her ongoing recovery, sharing that the illness left her with lasting lung damage and a daily dependence on supplemental oxygen. 'God wasn't ready for me yet,' she said. 'But my life will never be the same.' 'It's been really hard,' Retton admitted. 'My lungs are so scarred. It will be a lifetime of recovery. My physicality was the only thing I had, and it was taken away from me. It's embarrassing.' The former gymnast shares four daughters, Shayla, 30, McKenna, 28, Skyla, 24, and Emma, 23, with her ex-husband Shannon Kelley, a former college football quarterback turned real estate developer. The two divorced in 2018 after nearly three decades of marriage.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mary Lou Retton Arrested on DUI Charge
Legendary gymnast Mary Lou Retton has been accused of driving under the influence. On Instagram, Retton describes herself as a motivational speaker. She is also a mom of four and the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in women's gymnastics. She hasn't posted on the page since 2024, however. Court records for the DUI show Retton was charged with: "Driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs." The offense date is listed as on or about May 17, 2025. Retton is referred to as Mary L. Retton-Kelly in the court records. She was released on $1,500 bond, the records say. A misdemeanor complaint was filed in the case, which is pending in Marion County, WV. According to CBS Sports, Retton was arrested in Fairmount, WV. She is from that community, according to CBS Sports. A Spotfund page set up by her daughter in 2023 revealed that Retton was undergoing health issues. It raised more than $450,000. "Hey everyone! On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y'all's help," that page said. "My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. 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. However, I will disclose that she not insured," the message read. "We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill. ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y'all so very much!" she continued. According to CBS Sports, she recovered and was released from the hospital a couple weeks after that post. USA Today reported that Retton later said she was able to get Lou Retton Arrested on DUI Charge first appeared on Men's Journal on May 27, 2025
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton arrested on DUI charge
Retired Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton was arrested on a DUI charge in West Virginia. Retton, 57, was booked in Marion County on May 17 and faces one misdemeanor count of 'driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs,' according to records posted online by the West Virginia Magistrate Court system. The former Olympic gymnast, who scooped five medals – including a gold – at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, posted $1,500 bond the day of her arrest. Branded 'America's Sweetheart,' a 16-year-old Retton dazzled on the Olympic stage and became the first U.S. female gymnast to win an all-around Olympic gold medal in 1984 in LA. Almost four decades later, in October 2023, the ex-athlete fell ill with a rare form of pneumonia and was left fighting for her life in the ICU. Retton's daughter McKenna Kelley announced her hospitalization on Instagram at the time and said that her mother had been unable to pay her medical bills since the Covid-19 pandemic. The former athlete told Entertainment Tonight last spring that she was 'sobbing' after learning that her family had set up an account on the crowdfunding platform Spotfund to cover their mom's treatment. Donations poured in, amounting to almost $460,000 before the portal was closed. Retton's elation was met with mixed reactions from the public, who argued that she chose to forgo paying for her own treatment, which Renton denies. Any money left over after covering treatment costs was due to be donated to the American Lung Association, she said. Retton pushed back on the attacks on her daughters for trying to help their mom. 'They didn't deserve that, they were just trying to take care of me. I don't care about the nay-sayers. There's trolls everywhere, whatever,' she told the outlet. 'It's what makes us America; everybody's got an opinion. You're welcome to your opinion. But you aren't in that situation,' she continued. 'My daughters stepped up to the plate and they saved my life.' After several weeks in the hospital, Retton was discharged in late October 2023 to continue her recovery at home. Retton has remained largely out of the limelight since battling her illness. She was expected to go on a For Mothers and Daughters Forever Our Legacy tour with her daughter, Kelley, in January this year. Retton last posted on social media in November 2024, about the death of revered – then repudiated – Romanian-American gymnastics coach Béla Károlyi.
