Mary Lou Retton, the iconic gymnast who captivated the nation with her performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics, was arrested on May 17, 2025, in Marion County, West Virginia, on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. The arrest followed reports of a Porsche being driven erratically on the Gateway Connector near Fairmont. Police located Retton's vehicle in an AutoZone parking lot, where officers observed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. A screw-top bottle of wine was found on the passenger seat. Retton reportedly failed field sobriety tests and refused both a preliminary breath test and a chemical blood test. She was released the same day after posting a $1,500 personal recognizance bond. The Guardian
Retton, now 57, made history at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by becoming the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around gymnastics competition. Her performance, which included two perfect 10s, earned her a total of five medals—one gold, two silver, and two bronze—and significantly boosted the popularity of gymnastics in the United States.
In 2023, Retton faced a severe health crisis due to a rare form of pneumonia, leading to her hospitalization in the ICU. Without medical insurance, her family raised over $450,000 through crowdfunding to cover her medical expenses. She later expressed gratitude for the support and has since been recovering, though she continues to deal with long-term health effects.
As of now, Retton's legal representatives have not issued a public statement regarding
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