Mary Lou Retton, a celebrated Olympic gold medalist, was apprehended in Marion County, West Virginia, on May 17, on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. The 57-year-old former gymnast is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge. Retton was released on the same day after posting a $1,500 bond. The news of her arrest started making rounds on May 31.
Retton, who became a household name in the 1980s, won five medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, including a gold in the all-around competition. This achievement marked the first time an American woman had won gold in this category. In the same year, she was also awarded two silver and two bronze medals, and was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
In 2023, Retton was in the news when her daughters revealed that she had been battling a rare form of pneumonia. The illness was so severe that it had her fighting for her life in an intensive care unit (ICU). To help with the medical expenses, Retton’s family set up a crowdfunding campaign that raised $200,000 within a day.
Retton was eventually discharged from the hospital. In a January 2024 interview on the “Today” show, she spoke about her health scare. She expressed her gratitude for being alive, acknowledging that there was a point when she was on the verge of being put on life support.
Retton’s illustrious career includes being inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. She has also made appearances in popular culture, featuring in a 1993 episode of the TV show “Baywatch” and the 1994 film “Naked Gun 33 ¹/₃: The Final Insult.”