Olympic gold-medalist Mary Lou Retton was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence in West Virginia earlier this month.
Documents acquired by People on Monday, May 26, revealed that Retton, aged 57, was taken into custody on Saturday, May 17, for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. These details were sourced from records belonging to the West Virginia Magistrate Court.
Retton quickly posted a personal recognizance bond of $1,500 that the court issued the day of her arrest.
Us Weekly has reached out to Retton’s team for comment.
The former gymnast etched her name in history during the 1984 Summer Olympics by clinching the gold in the individual all-around event, making her the first American woman to do so.
Back in October 2023, she faced a serious health scare, spending a fortnight in the Intensive Care Unit as she fought against a rare strain of pneumonia. During this challenging period, her daughters initiated a crowdfunding campaign to cover her medical expenses, a move that attracted some negative feedback online for their assistance efforts.
“They didn’t deserve that,” Retton told Entertainment Tonight in May 2024. “They were just trying to take care of me. I don’t care about the naysayers. There are trolls everywhere. It’s what makes us America. Everybody’s got an opinion, but it is what it is.”
During her interview with ET, Retton revealed that her financial situation took a hit after her 2018 divorce from Shannon Kelley and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“[When] COVID hit, literally COVID hit — our job is to be near people and talk to them and so there was no work whatsoever,” she said of her speaking engagements slowing down. “Let’s say that the height of my fame was years ago and I [was] just doing enough to make it, doing enough to pay my bills.”
Retton shares daughters Shayla, 30, McKenna, 28, Skyla, 25, and Emma, 22, with Kelley. Shortly after Retton was hospitalized with pneumonia, McKenna started a spotfund, which far surpassed its initial $50,000 fundraising goal.
“It’s a very long recovery, I’m still on oxygen, and I had a bit of a relapse a while ago, but I’m back and regulated,” Retton shared last year. “It’s just more discouragement than anything because, you know, patience isn’t one of my strong skill sets,” she said. “I’m tired of this thing up my nose. … I’m a speaker and haven’t been able to work because I don’t know if I can get up on stage and do an hour-long talk like I’ve normally done for 40 years. That’s frustrating.”
Despite her challenges, Retton expressed gratitude for her life and her daughters’ support.
“They were strong,” she recalled. “I can’t imagine them seeing me on my deathbed, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was. They inspire me, and they do every day. They’re extraordinary young women. They’re my biggest accomplishments. Take my five medals, I’ll take my daughters over that any time.”
