Mary Lou Retton’s DUI Debacle: From Gymnastics Gold to Handcuffs
Another celebrity moment that makes you wonder if fame really buys you a free ride. Mary Lou Retton—yes, the vault-vaulting, gold-medal-winning gymnast—apparently thought her Olympic status granted her a bye on West Virginia’s roads. Body-cam footage released by the Marion County Police Department and exclusively obtained by TMZ shows the 57-year-old Fairmont native arguing with officers like she had just discovered gravity isn’t negotiable.
The saga began on May 17, when Fairmont City police pulled Retton over for “reckless driving.” According to the incident report, officers immediately detected the aroma of alcohol and noticed her speech was slurred. A screw-top container of wine sat in plain sight on the passenger seat. The video captures Retton’s eye roll-worthy reaction: she balks at every field sobriety exercise, insisting, “Do I really have to do this?” Spoiler alert: she flunks them all, including a one-leg stand she brags she should ace, given her status as an Olympic gold medalist.
When the Breathalyzer request came, Retton went full diva—refusing the test, waving an oxygen mask as if it were a VIP pass, and asking if the cops even knew who she was. Cue the soundtrack: “I’m West Virginia’s First Daughter!” she exclaims, with more flair than a ribbon routine. That line earned some Yelp-style scrutiny from the arresting officers, who weren’t exactly impressed by her resume.
Once cuffed, Retton’s performance reached peak drama. At the station, she alternated between sobbing and calling the police “terrible,” all while arguing that her oxygen intake would send her into early retirement. Her high-wire act concluded with a DUI charge—non-aggravated, first-time offense—and a neat little $100 fine after pleading no contest, as court records from the West Virginia Judiciary show.
In a post-arrest statement, Retton did what PR pros advise—she blamed no one but herself. “I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable,” she said, apologizing to family, friends, and “my fans.” The ex-gymnast vowed to “learn and grow” from this slip off the beam.
Let’s be honest, though: this isn’t exactly what you’d call a career highlight. Gymnastics has its low bars, but nothing quite matches the embarrassment of handcuffs. So there you have it—a champions’ fall from grace, all neatly recorded on police body-cam. Next up: Retton’s comeback tour—will it involve fewer cocktails and more cartwheels? Stay tuned.
And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ.com, Marion County Police Department body-cam footage, West Virginia Judiciary court records
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
