Details of Mary Lou Retton’s DUI arrest revealed
Mary Lou Retton, the renowned Olympic gold medalist, made headlines recently after reports of her DUI arrest surfaced. The incident took place earlier this month when Fairmont police in West Virginia stopped Retton on May 17 following a report about a person driving a Porsche “all over the roadway.”
According to the criminal complaint, Retton, 57, was said to have smelled of alcohol, slurred her words, and failed a field sobriety test. Officers also noted the presence of a container of wine in the passenger seat of her vehicle. Retton refused both a roadside breath test and a blood test, and was subsequently released after paying a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Retton’s representatives were reached out to for comment but did not respond at the time.
This incident comes after Retton’s battle with a rare form of pneumonia in 2023, which saw her fighting for her life and being placed in the intensive care unit. Speaking on NBC’s “Today” in 2024, Retton expressed her gratitude for being alive, stating, “This is serious, and this is life, and I’m so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support.”
Retton, often referred to as “America’s sweetheart,” gained fame for her stellar performance at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, where she became the first American woman to win the Olympic all-around title at just 16 years old. She went on to earn five medals that year – one gold, two silver, and two bronze.
After retiring from gymnastics, Retton transitioned into a motivational speaker, advocating for the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. She also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under former President George W. Bush.
Despite this recent incident, Retton’s legacy as a pioneering gymnast and inspirational figure remains intact. Her journey from Olympic glory to personal struggles serves as a reminder of the complexities of human experience and the resilience needed to overcome challenges.
