Olympic Star Mary Lou Retton Faces DUI Arrest After Erratic Driving Incident

Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton, celebrated for her dazzling performance at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, found herself in hot water on May 17 in Fairmont, West Virginia. Police pulled over the 57-year-old former gymnast after reports of her Porsche weaving wildly across the road. Officers noted a strong smell of alcohol, slurred speech, and a wine container in the passenger seat. Retton reportedly failed a field sobriety test and refused both breath and blood tests, leading to a suspected DUI arrest. She was released after posting a $1,500 bond.

Retton, once dubbed America’s Sweetheart for her historic gold medal win as the first American woman to claim the Olympic all-around title, has long been an advocate for healthy living. Her recent brush with the law stands in stark contrast to her public persona as a motivational speaker and fitness enthusiast. This incident follows her serious health scare in 2023, when she battled a rare form of pneumonia that nearly required life support. Reflecting on that ordeal, she told NBC’s Today in 2024, "I am blessed to be here."

Retton’s legacy includes five Olympic medals and a storied career that inspired generations. Yet, this arrest raises questions about the pressures faced by public figures navigating personal challenges in the spotlight.