Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton Arrested, Igniting Public Reactions — Here’s What We Know
A beloved American sports icon now finds herself at the center of a legal controversy in her home state.
Authorities in Marion County, West Virginia, arrested Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton earlier this month, charging her with driving under the influence, according to court documents.
Mary Lou Retton attends “Dancing With the Stars” Season 27 at CBS Television City on October 22, 2018, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
The case, State v. Mary L. Retton-Kelly (Case ID: 25-M24M-01254), was filed on May 17, 2025, in the Magistrate Court of Marion County. The charge falls under West Virginia Code 17C-05-02, which addresses driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.
Court records show that Retton posted a $1,500 personal recognizance bond on the same day of her arrest. The documents list T. Davis as the arresting officer and Melissa Pride Linger as the presiding magistrate.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting the case. As of now, the court has not scheduled any hearings, and Retton has not entered a plea.
The arrest drew swift and mixed reactions on social media. One netizen commented, “Poor woman.” Others criticized the incident more sharply. “No excuses for drunk driving she isn’t special,” wrote another. A third added, “She shouldn’t get a pass because she’s old and sick. She could have killed somebody. 😳”
