Did Mary Lou Retton get arrested? Everything we know about her DUI charge

Retired Olympian Mary Lou Retton was stopped on Saturday, May 17, by law enforcement in Marion County, West Virginia. The case was charged in court as one count of misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs.

Retton, 57, was taken to the county magistrate’s office and held for a brief period. The DUI was the first time the law got involved with the singer. It is drawing attention partly because Mary is a former Olympian.

Mary Lou Retton was released after posting a bond of $1,500

Mary Lou Retton was arrested the same day and posted bond, paying $1,500 on her recognizance. Court papers prove that she did not pay money ahead of time but instead was told to come back for more court hearings. She was released from custody and allowed to go home once the bond was posted.

When a defendant agrees, it is not uncommon for this process to be used in low-level DUI cases at a judge’s discretion. On May 27, 2025, there has not been any news about using electronic monitoring or imposing travel restrictions on those in the program.

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No public statement or comment has been shared so far

Neither Mary Lou Retton nor her representatives have issued an official statement about the arrest. Her publicist has remained silent, and no details about her condition at the time of the traffic stop have been released.

It is not clear whether she has retained a specific attorney or legal team to handle the case. Fans and media outlets are awaiting any formal response that might explain the circumstances leading to the DUI charge. Until such a statement is made, most information comes from court filings and police records.

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Her prior health crisis occurred in late 2023

In October 2023, Mary Lou Retton suffered from a major health scare. She was admitted to the hospital because of rare pneumonia and was put in the intensive care unit for a while. Crowdfunding raised almost $460,000 to cover her medical bills, since Retton had no health insurance at that time.

Looking back, Retton explained that she almost lost her life because of lung damage and now depends on extra oxygen daily. Many news organizations wrote about her getting better and promoted awareness of the risks of severe respiratory disease.

Mary Lou Retton remains known for her 1984 Olympic success

Mary Lou Retton first became a household name at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. There, she became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics and added two silver medals and two bronze medals to her tally.

Her success helped boost the popularity of gymnastics across the United States. After retiring from competition in 1986, she appeared in television shows, commercials, and worked as a motivational speaker. Even decades later, she is celebrated for her role in U.S. Olympic history.

Next steps in the legal process will unfold in court

At this point, a date for Mary Lou Retton's arraignment or preliminary hearing has not been announced. In West Virginia, misdemeanor DUI cases often proceed through a series of magistrate hearings before reaching a circuit court, if contested. Retton can choose to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or negotiate a plea deal that may involve education programs or reduced charges.

Her legal options will depend on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence and any prior record she may have. Observers will look to local court dockets and future media reports for updates on how this case progresses.

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