Mary Lou Retton Arrested for DUI in West Virginia
By Nayab khan
Former Olympic gymnastics great Mary Lou Retton was arrested on May 17, 2025, in Marion County, West Virginia. Retton was arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge (alcohol, controlled substances or drugs).
According to police reports, officers were dispatched to investigate reports of a Porsche driving recklessly on the Gateway Connector, which runs close to downtown Fairmont. The report states officers found Retton, age 57, parked in a nearby AutoZone parking lot. Officers took note of Retton’s indications of intoxication, including slurred speech and odor of alcohol.
A screw bottle of wine, reportedly, was laying in the front passenger seat. When officers attempted a breathalyzer and blood test on Retton, she refused and was subsequently arrested. Retton was cite and released the same day on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.
Kelly Miles stepped onto the national stage during the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, during which she became the first American female gymnast to win the gold medal for individual all-around gymnastics competition.
She won gold, silver, and bronze in the Games; her accomplishment raised gymnastics’ popularity in the United States. After Retirement, she maintained a public presence through various media appearances, and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 2023, Retton found herself in grave circumstances after being hospitalized in the ICU for a rare type of pneumonia. She lacked medical insurance, and her family launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover her medical bills, raising over $450,000. Retton later described the experience as life-changing, while expressing how thankful she was for the public support.
As of now, Retton has not publicly commented on the DUI charge. Her legal representatives have also declined to make a statement regarding the incident.
