Mary Lou Retton, once hailed as America’s Olympic sweetheart, is back in the spotlight—this time under troubling circumstances. On May 17, the 1984 gymnastics gold medalist was arrested for DUI in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia.

Police responded to reports of a swerving Porsche and found Retton, 57, in an AutoZone parking lot. She showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. A bottle of wine was found nearby, and she refused a blood test. Retton was charged with one misdemeanor DUI count and released on a \$1,500 recognizance bond.

This incident follows a serious health scare in October 2023, when Retton was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia. With no health insurance, her daughter launched a Spotfund campaign that went viral, raising over \$459,000. Retton later stated that the funds were used entirely for medical expenses, with remaining donations going to the American Lung Association.

Retton became a national icon after winning five medals at the 1984 Olympics, including the first all-around gold for an American woman. Her success made her a household name and cemented her legacy in American sports history.

However, that legacy now appears more complex. Her recent struggles highlight the challenges former elite athletes can face as their fame fades. Retton’s story is a reminder that even national heroes are not immune to life’s hardships, revealing a journey marked by both triumph and vulnerability.