SB. Police Found Evidence on the Passenger Seat of Mary Lou Retton’s Car After Her Arrest

Updated with information sourced from court records and reputable news outlets including CNN, NBC News, Entertainment Tonight, and Spotfund.

Mary Lou Retton, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most recognizable figures in American gymnastics history, is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge following a May 17, 2025 incident in West Virginia. Public records from the Marion County Magistrate Court confirm that Retton, 57, was arrested by local law enforcement after officers responded to a call reporting unsafe driving on the Gateway Connector in Fairmont.

According to the police report cited in court filings, officers were alerted to a vehicle with Texas license plates that was allegedly swerving. Authorities later located the vehicle parked in an AutoZone lot, where they found Retton in the driver’s seat. Officers reported the odor of alcohol and observed slurred speech. Field sobriety tests were conducted at the scene, and law enforcement determined that Retton showed signs of impairment.

A screw-top bottle of wine was found on the passenger seat, as noted in the incident report. Retton reportedly declined to undergo a chemical blood test. Under West Virginia state law, refusal to submit to such testing is allowed, though it may result in administrative penalties.

The gymnast was formally charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drugs. Court records show that she was released on the same day with a $1,500 personal recognizance bond. As of the time of this writing, there is no information on additional charges or court-imposed restrictions.

Public Attention Rekindled Following Health Crisis

The DUI charge has brought renewed media attention to Retton, who last made national headlines in late 2023 due to a serious medical condition. In October 2023, her daughter McKenna Kelley announced via social media that Retton had been hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia. According to the family’s public statements at the time, Retton was admitted to an intensive care unit and required assistance to breathe.

Kelley stated that Retton was uninsured during the medical emergency. As a result, the family launched a verified crowdfunding campaign on Spotfund to raise money for her treatment. The fundraiser quickly gained traction and surpassed its initial $50,000 goal, ultimately raising over $450,000. The platform confirms the funds were collected to support Retton’s recovery.

Following the fundraiser’s success, some media outlets and social media users questioned why an Olympic gold medalist required public donations for healthcare. Retton addressed these concerns in a May 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, where she explained that the donations were directed toward covering her hospital bills. She added that any unused portion would be donated to the American Lung Association, a nonprofit organization focused on lung health and disease prevention.

Mary Lou Retton performs the floor exercise during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

A Legacy in Gymnastics and Public Life

Mary Lou Retton rose to national fame during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the all-around gymnastics competition. She also earned two silver and two bronze medals during the Games, making her the most decorated athlete of the event.

Her Olympic success came just weeks after undergoing knee surgery, an accomplishment that further solidified her status as a national icon. Following the Olympics, she was named Sportswoman of the Year by the Associated Press and received multiple honors, including the prestigious Sullivan Award for the nation’s top amateur athlete.

Retton continued to maintain a public profile through endorsement deals, speaking engagements, and television appearances. She became a regular figure in American pop culture throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including serving as a spokesperson for several national brands.

In her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia, Retton’s legacy was formally recognized with the naming of Mary Lou Retton Drive and Mary Lou Retton Park. In 1997, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, a testament to her continued influence in the sport.

Mary Lou Retton in action, split on balance beam during the Women's All-Around competition at Pauley Pavilion on July 28, 1984, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Health and Personal Challenges

In an interview with People magazine published in 2024, Retton described her near-fatal experience with pneumonia, stating that the recovery process remains ongoing. She reported significant lung scarring and physical limitations resulting from the illness. Though she emphasized that she is grateful for her survival, she acknowledged that rebuilding her health will be a long-term process.

Her statements were corroborated by her daughter during the crowdfunding campaign, and the medical nature of her condition was widely reported by major media outlets, including CNN and NBC News. Retton has not provided additional public updates regarding her current treatment plan or long-term prognosis.

Olympic gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton poses in a Houston, Texas studio in 1995 | Source: Getty Images

Broader Context and Next Steps

Retton’s legal case remains ongoing, and no plea has been entered publicly as of the latest available court docket. The incident has prompted conversations about the broader issues of healthcare access, post-athletic career transitions, and mental health among retired athletes. However, Retton has not made further public statements following her arrest.

The U.S. legal system presumes innocence until proven guilty. The outcome of the case will depend on the judicial process in West Virginia, and any penalties or diversionary measures, such as rehabilitation programs or license suspensions, will be determined by the court if a conviction is entered or a plea is negotiated.

Mary Lou Retton Had Bottle of Wine in Passenger Seat and Was Slurring Her  Words During DUI Arrest: Reports

About Mary Lou Retton

Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1968, Retton began gymnastics at a young age and later moved to Houston to train under Bela and Marta Karolyi, the same coaches who trained Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci. Her training and dedication led to her historic Olympic performance, which remains one of the most celebrated moments in U.S. gymnastics history.

Retton retired from competitive gymnastics in 1985 but continued to shape the sport through public advocacy, commentary, and youth outreach. Her story has been featured in multiple documentaries and retrospectives on Olympic history.

Sources and Verifiable References

  • Marion County Magistrate Court Records (2025)
  • Spotfund Campaign for Mary Lou Retton (2023)
  • CNN: Mary Lou Retton’s 2023 Health Update
  • NBC News: Crowdfunding Response to Olympic Champion’s Illness
  • Entertainment Tonight: Mary Lou Retton Interview, May 2024
  • People Magazine: Retton Discusses Her Recovery, 2024
  • International Gymnastics Hall of Fame: Member Profile – Mary Lou Retton
  • Team USA Archives: 1984 Olympic Performance Overview

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