NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARY LOU RETTON!
- Mary Lou Retton was detained on Saturday, May 17, for one count of “driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties,” according to court records from the West Virginia Magistrate Court system.
- The Olympian posted a personal recognisance surety of $1,500 on the same day.
As per the West Virginia Magistrate Court system’s court records,Mary Lou Retton, 57, was apprehended on Saturday, May 17, for one count of “driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties.”
The Olympian was issued a personal recognisance bond of $1,500, which she posted on the same day.
Retton is the first American woman to secure a gold medal in individual all-around gymnastics. Her arrest occurs nearly two years after she was hospitalised with an uncommon form of pneumonia in the intensive care unit. In October 2023, McKenna Kelley, her daughter, posted a message on her Instagram Story informing her followers that she was hospitalised. The post included a link to a Spotfund page for her mother.
Mary Lou, my extraordinary mother, is currently battling a rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is incapable of independently respirating. She has been in the intensive care unit for more than a week. I will refrain from disclosing all information in order to honour her privacy and dignity. Nevertheless, I will inform you that she is not insured,” stated Kelley.
The Dancing with the Stars alum disclosed in July 2024 that she was so ill that the physicians informed her four daughters that she may not survive during her month-long hospitalisation.
“They prayed for me, and McKenna said, ‘Mommy, it’s okay, you can go.'” Retton stated, “I did not have a close relationship with my mother, but I cannot fathom the experience of witnessing their mother on her deathbed.” Although the former gymnast claimed that she survived because “God wasn’t ready for me yet,” she believed that she would never be the same again, as she continued to rely on daily oxygen.
“It has been exceedingly challenging.” My lungs are severely damaged. Recovery will be a lifelong process. I was deprived of my physicality, which was the sole possession I possessed. “It is embarrassing,” she stated.
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, please reach out to the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Mary Lou Retton’s net worth as of 2025.
Mary Lou Retton, a gymnast who has achieved remarkable accolades and accomplishments, has experienced a difficult few years, despite her status as one of the most decorated gymnasts in the United States. In October 2023, Retton, who is 57 years old, was reported to be “fighting for her life” due to a bout with pneumonia. To date, her daughters have raised over $459,000 through crowdsourcing to cover the cost of her medical care. This includes a $50,000 donation from businessman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and his wife.
What was the process by which Mary Lou Retton achieved fame.
She began gymnastics at the age of eight and subsequently relocated from her birthplace of Fairmont, West Virginia, to Houston, Texas, to pursue her training. Within a few years, she established herself as a formidable competitor, securing numerous national titles in 1983. She earned a gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics, a mere five weeks after undergoing knee surgery for an injury she had sustained previously. She was the first American woman to be recognised as an all-around champion in the history of the Olympics.
She became a ubiquitous name and the first female athlete to appear on a Wheaties box as a result of her exceptional Olympic performance. Energiser batteries, Purex detergent, Revco drugstores, Dobie Originals fitness apparel, Hasbro, McDonald’s, Vidal Sassoon hair products, GNC, and other brands have been endorsed by her over the years.
