Olympic Legend Mary Lou Retton Speaks Out for the First Time Following DUI Arrest

Well over a year after receiving a harrowing diagnosis, which has since led to severe health complications, Mary Lou Retton broke her silence on her recent DUI arrest.

Iconic Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton recently shared a statement with People magazine about her arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). Her words reflect responsibility, regret, and sorrow for her actions.

The 57-year-old retired Olympian did not mince words while addressing the matter for the first time. "I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses," Retton said, speaking through her attorney, Edmund J. Rollo.

She went on to acknowledge the impact of her behavior on those closest to her, adding, "To my family, friends and [sic] my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry."

Despite the gravity of the incident, Retton emphasized her intention to turn the page and move forward with clarity and accountability.

"I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life," she continued. "I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support." Her attorney also noted that she is requesting privacy as she navigates both her personal and professional life.

Retton's court appearance took place on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, where she entered a no-contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge — a decision that resulted in a $100 fine, consistent with local penalties for first-time offenses of this nature in the area.

The arrest itself dates back to May 17 in Fairmont, West Virginia, after local authorities received and responded to reports of a vehicle driving erratically near downtown.

According to online records from the West Virginia Magistrate Court system obtained by WDTV, police found Retton in her Porsche with a Texas license plate in the parking lot of a Marion County AutoZone. They also discovered a screw-top bottle of wine in the passenger seat.

Officers noted signs of impairment, including slurred speech. This was detected by three standard field sobriety tests. Reportedly, Retton also declined to submit to a blood alcohol test and refused a preliminary breath test.

She was taken into custody on one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. The "Dancing with the Stars" alum was later released on a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, which she posted the same day.

Retton's DUI debacle comes at a time when the Olympic icon has already been navigating a deeply personal and physically taxing chapter in her life. In October 2023, the gold medalist was diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia.

The illness left her hospitalized for weeks and, at one point, unable to breathe without assistance. One of her daughters, McKenna Kelley, shared that Retton had spent over a week in the ICU and was uninsured at the time.

The family launched a crowdfunding campaign on Spotfund to help offset the mounting medical bills, a gesture that stirred up strong emotions for Retton. She later told Entertainment Tonight she had been "sobbing" upon discovering what her family had done.

Although donations poured in, the campaign received mixed reactions."They didn't deserve that," she expressed while defending her daughters. "They were just trying to take care of me," explained the mom of four. The fundraiser ultimately raised nearly $460,000 before being closed.

According to Retton, every dollar was directed toward her recovery, with remaining funds donated to the American Lung Association. Behind the scenes, the journey has been anything but easy.

The 1984 Olympic all-around champion — the first U.S. woman ever to earn that title — has endured a slow and ongoing recovery.

In a candid interview with People in July 2024, Mary Lou Retton reflected on her experience, admitting that she still required daily oxygen and was grappling with the long-term effects of lung scarring.

"It's been really hard," she confessed. "My lungs are so scarred. It will be a lifetime of recovery." Stripped of the physical vitality that once defined her, Retton added, "My physicality was the only thing I had and [sic] it was taken away from me. It's embarrassing."

Though she largely stepped away from public appearances following her release from the hospital in late 2023, Retton was expected to go on a "For Mothers and Daughters: Forever Our Legacy" tour alongside her daughter earlier this year.

Additionally, her last known social media post came in November 2024, when she paid tribute to late Romanian-American gymnastics coach Béla Károlyi.

Now, as she faces renewed public scrutiny amid her DUI charge, Retton's story stands as a layered portrait of a national hero, once celebrated for her invincible strength, confronting personal frailty, hard-earned growth, and the weight of public expectation.