Further tarnishing her once-pristine reputation, an Olympic hero finds herself in an unexpected and troubling situation as she was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) offense.
57-year-old gold medalist, Mary Lou Retton, who recently recovered from a life-threatening illness after Americans generously donated to cover her medical costs, now faces serious criminal charges.
Court records showed Retton was charged in Marion County, West Virginia, with driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.
The former gymnastics champion, who made history as the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the all-around competition, was released after posting a $1,500 bond.
Retton’s arrest comes just over a year after she battled a severe health crisis that left her uninsured and dependent on public charity.
In 2023, she suffered from what her daughter described as “a very rare form of pneumonia” that nearly claimed her life.
During her recovery, Retton admitted, “they were about to put me on life support.”
The American public rallied behind the former Olympian during her health crisis, raising nearly $500,000 through crowdfunding to cover her medical expenses.
Retton later acquired health insurance, though questions remained about the transparency of how the donated funds were used.
Additionally, Retton became an American icon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, winning five medals including gold in the all-around competition.
She was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportswoman of the Year and became the first woman featured on the Wheaties cereal box cover.
After retiring in 1986, Retton maintained her ties to traditional American values, serving on President George W. Bush’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2004.
Her reputation as a hardworking athlete representing the best American determination and excellence earned her induction into multiple halls of fame, including the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
US Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton arrested for DUI in West Virginia https://t.co/7R3k5SFuzJ pic.twitter.com/jBG44M0wyz
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 27, 2025
Requests for comment from Retton’s representatives have gone unanswered, while mainstream media outlets continue to focus on her downfall rather than her significant contributions to American sports history.
The arrest follows months of struggle for Retton, who described her recovery from pneumonia as having “faced death in the eyes.”
Despite overcoming that health battle with the support of patriotic Americans who rallied to her aid, she now faces new challenges with this legal trouble.
As this story develops, many supporters are calling for patience and understanding for a woman who brought tremendous pride to the nation during a time when American excellence was celebrated rather than criticized.
