Olympic® Hero Busted for DUI in West Virginia
Gymnast Mary Lou Retton performing on the beam during Olympic Vidal Sassoon Looking Good Tour in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 1985. Photo by Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times under CC BY 4.0.
Mary Lou Retton, a name once synonymous with gold-medal glory and American pride, is back in the headlines — but this time, under very different circumstances. The former Olympic® gymnast was arrested on May 17, 2025, in Marion County, West Virginia, on a charge of driving under the influence, according to court documents reviewed by multiple news outlets.
A Historic Athlete's Legal Trouble
Retton, 57, is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs, a charge filed in the West Virginia Magistrate Court system, as reported by CBS News.
Specific details of what led to the arrest have not yet been released, and authorities from the Fairmont Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office have not issued public statements regarding the incident.
Following her arrest, Retton was granted a $1,500 personal recognizance bond — meaning she didn't have to pay upfront but promised to appear in court. Records confirm she posted that bond the same day she was taken into custody.
As of now, Retton has not made a public comment, and her representative has not responded to media requests. No plea has been entered, and the case remains active. It's important to remember that at this stage, all charges are allegations, and Retton is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
A Long Road Back to the Headlines
This legal trouble marks yet another life-altering chapter for the gymnast who captivated the world in 1984 by becoming the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around gymnastics competition. She became an icon, appearing on cereal boxes and talk shows, and even competed on "Dancing with the Stars."
But in recent years, Retton has been in the news for a different struggle: a devastating health scare. In October 2023, she was admitted to intensive care with a rare form of pneumonia. Her daughter publicly shared that Retton was "fighting for her life" and not able to breathe on her own, according to PEOPLE.
At one point, her condition was so dire that doctors warned her daughters she might not survive.
Though Retton ultimately recovered, she revealed in 2024 that her lungs remained severely scarred. She continues to rely on supplemental oxygen daily and described the experience as physically and emotionally life-altering.
What Comes Next?
As of late May 2025, the only certain thing is Mary Lou Retton, once known for her unshakable poise on the mat, now faces a very different type of balancing act — one that will play out in the courtroom rather than in an arena.
References: Mary Lou Retton Arrested on DUI Charge in West Virginia | Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton charged with DUI in West Virginia | Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton arrested for DUI in West Virginia
