Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton was arrested on May 17 in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. The 57-year-old retired gymnast faces one charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances, according to Marion County Magistrate Court records. Retton was released the same day on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, which allows release without upfront payment as long as court conditions are met.
Retton has not commented publicly on the arrest.
A gymnastics icon, Retton rose to fame at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, becoming the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal. She earned five medals in total — one gold, two silver, and two bronze — and played a key role in inspiring future generations of American gymnasts, including Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee.
The DUI charge follows a serious health scare in 2023 when Retton battled a rare form of pneumonia. Her daughter, McKenna Kelley, revealed Retton had been in the ICU, unable to breathe on her own. Retton later described the experience as life-altering, saying it left her lungs permanently scarred.
Retton retired from gymnastics in 1986 to pursue higher education and later remained involved in the sport through commentary and appearances. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985 and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2018, she competed on Dancing with the Stars.
Retton shares four daughters — McKenna, Shayla, Skyla, and Emma — with ex-husband Shannon Kelley.