What happened to Livvy Dunne? Former LSU gymnast shares insight into recovery after fracturing kneecap

Livvy Dunne, 22, officially retired from gymnastics on April 17, 2025. Her gymnastics career concluded after LSU failed to reach the NCAA finals, and the team's bid for the national title ended in the semifinals.

Also, the former athlete sustained a severe knee injury in March. She had an avulsion fracture in her patella weeks before the NCAA semifinals, according to Sports Illustrated.

This fracture significantly affected Livvy Dunne's impressive gymnastics career and led to the closure of a significant chapter in her life.

In a recent exclusive interview with People Magazine, she opened up about her recovery process, sharing,

"I fractured my kneecap during my gymnastics season, and it's getting better slowly but surely. I've been grinding nonstop ever since the season ended, but I think that it is getting a little bit better."

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A look at Livvy Dunne speaking about her knee injury recovery

Dunne discussed her health updates and retirement with the outlet at Fanatics Fest in New York City.

Livvy Dune reflected on how her lifestyle has changed since her fracture. Sharing the transitions from being an athlete to now a former gymnast, she added,

"I feel like as an athlete, I've always been disciplined and I've always had my finger on the pulse of what worked for me and what didn't, because even the slightest difference in gymnastics is huge, but, it definitely is a little bit different being a non-athlete anymore."

Since her knee injury, she has been focusing on different aspects of her life and recovering simultaneously. And amid everything, she stated that she is "still trying to find the balance."

During the conversation, Livvy admitted that her disciplined lifestyle will help her successfully carry on life well even if she is not an athlete anymore.

Livvy Dunne graduated from LSU with her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies in December last year. During her college days, balancing the summer seasons was a task for her. However, her summer is different from the last couple of years.

She explained,

"I think the hardest part about being a college athlete for me was balancing my summers correctly, because I always have so many cool, fun opportunities in the summer, and I always do them and go to the beach and see my friends."

Being "on track" during the summer season was quite a challenge for the former gymnast, with the traveling and brand deals that she had to do. However, the stress to maintain a strict routine along with studies, gymnastics, and brand shoots has noticeably reduced. Now, the former LSU gymnast feels a "little bit of relief." While she has time to spend according to her wishes now, she misses the sport she has loved and participated in for two decades.

The Sports Illustrated model stated,

"I will really miss gymnastics. I've always been a competitor. I love competing, so it's going to be a little weird for a while."

While chatting with People about her healing and rebuilding her life, Livvy also expressed her love and appreciation for her teammates, noting,

"I text my teammates pretty much every single day. I'm super close with them, and I love to stay in contact with them because they were like my sisters, and they still are. I mean, I don't see them every day anymore, but those are my girls. I love them."

This year, on April 22, she posted an emotional video on Instagram dedicated to the sport. Showing clips of her performances during different phases of her life, she also narrated the highs and lows and the pride of competing for her country.