Mary Lou Retton Faces DUI Charge in West Virginia

Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton has been charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, earlier this month.

Police stopped the 57-year-old on May 17 after receiving a report of a sports car being driven erratically. Officers who responded to the scene noted signs of possible intoxication, including the smell of alcohol and slurred speech. Retton reportedly failed a roadside sobriety test, and an open container of wine was observed inside the vehicle.

She declined to take both a breathalyzer and a blood test at the scene. Retton was taken into custody but was later released after posting a $1,500 bond.

At the time of this writing, her attorney has not publicly commented on the incident.

Retton became a household name in the 1980s after a historic performance at the Summer Olympics, where she became the first American woman to win the all-around gymnastics gold medal. Her success helped boost the popularity of gymnastics across the United States.

In recent years, Retton has faced serious health issues. In 2023, her family revealed that she had been hospitalized with a rare and severe form of pneumonia. She spent time in intensive care and required oxygen therapy during her recovery. Her health scare led to a public fundraiser that received widespread support.

There is currently no court date scheduled for her DUI case. Retton has not yet made a public statement regarding the charge.