Mary Lou Retton, a pioneer in Olympic history as the first American woman to clinch an individual all-around Gold medal, has unexpectedly found herself entangled in legal woes. On May 17th, court records from the West Virginia Magistrate Court, obtained by E! News, revealed that the gymnastics legend was apprehended on charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
According to the official filing, Mary Lou faced a single count of "operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties" attached to the charge. At the age of 57, she was granted a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, which she promptly settled later that day.
E! News reached out to Mary Lou's representatives for comment, but as of yet, no response has been received.
This legal predicament arrives less than two years after the gymnast battled a grave health crisis. In the autumn of 2023, Mary Lou was struck by a severe case of pneumonia, necessitating her admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Her daughter, McKenna Kelley, 28, alongside sisters Shayla Kelley, 30, Skyla Kelley, 24, and Emma Kelley, 22, who she shares with ex-husband Shannon Kelley, kept her fans and well-wishers informed of her mother's condition via social media.
McKenna, in a heartfelt appeal on a Spotfunder campaign, disclosed that her mother was "fighting for her life," stating, "She is unable to breathe independently and has been in the ICU for over a week. Out of respect for her privacy, I refrain from disclosing all the details." She further revealed that, at the time, Mary Lou was uninsured and requested prayers and donations to assist with the hospital bills.
"Any contribution, no matter how small, would be immensely helpful for my family and my mom," McKenna added, expressing her gratitude.
Months into her recovery, Mary Lou addressed the criticism aimed at McKenna and her other daughters for their crowdfunding efforts. "They didn't deserve that," she told Entertainment Tonight in May 2024. "They were merely trying to care for me. I disregard the detractors. Trolls abound; it's part of what makes America unique. Everyone has an opinion, and that's just how it is."
She emphasized that the financial burden from her month-long ICU stay lingered for months afterward, noting that people "can't fathom" the cost of her treatment. Despite the controversy, the Olympic athlete highlighted the crucial support her daughters provided during that challenging period.
"You're entitled to your opinion, but you weren't in my shoes," she contended. "My daughters rose to the occasion and saved my life. Their love and support were instrumental in my recovery."
