Ava Gardner
USABiography of Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner was born on December 24, 1922, in North Carolina. She was the youngest of seven children in a family that owned a tobacco plantation. However, due to the Great Depression, her father had to sell the farm when tobacco prices plummeted. Ava grew up in a poor family with strict rules. Her mother was a staunch puritan who despised men. The only book in their house was the Bible, and their only entertainment was a radio. Ava believed in love and fairy tale princes, so as soon as she turned 18, she left home and moved to New York City to pursue a career as a secretary.
In 1941, Ava's life changed forever when her sister's husband, photographer Larry Tarr, took some pictures of her and was amazed by her beauty. He showed the photos to a clerk at the MGM studio, who also saw her potential. Ava was offered a contract with the studio, and she couldn't pass up such an opportunity. She signed a seven-year contract with a weekly salary of $50, marking the beginning of her rise to Hollywood stardom.
Known as the first brunette of Hollywood, Ava Gardner quickly caught the attention of Mickey Rooney, the main star of MGM. However, she resisted his advances due to her strict beliefs about premarital intimacy. Eventually, Ava accepted Mickey's proposal, and they got married in 1941. However, their marriage was far from what Ava had imagined. Mickey was rarely at home, always busy with work or spending time with friends and partying. After a year and a half, Ava filed for divorce, determined to find happiness elsewhere.
Ava's film career struggled for five years, with only minor roles, until she appeared in the film noir classic "The Killers" (1946). This marked her first major success and established her as both a seductive beauty and a talented actress. Despite praise from directors for her exceptional abilities, Ava never believed in her own talent. During this time, she also caught the attention of Howard Hughes, a wealthy industrialist and media mogul. Though he pursued her for years, Ava eventually realized that she was just another beauty in his harem and managed to break free from his control.
On the set of "Whistle Stop," Ava met clarinetist Artie Shaw, known for his intellect and eccentricity. Tired of dating wealthy men, she sought solace in someone more intellectually stimulating. They got married in 1945, but their marriage lasted only seven months. Ava found life with Artie incredibly dull and boring. After their divorce, she indulged in a wild lifestyle, changing lovers frequently. She became involved with actor Howard Duff, but their relationship ended tragically with an unsuccessful abortion, leaving Ava unable to have children.
Hope for a new life came when Frank Sinatra entered Ava's life. They both fell deeply in love and got married in 1951. Their marriage became a sensation, and their life together was filled with a shared love for Italian food, nightlife, boxing matches, and whiskey. However, Frank's infidelity and Ava's refusal to share him with other women eventually led to their divorce. Despite their tumultuous relationship, Ava considered Frank Sinatra to be the great love of her life.
In the 1960s, Ava moved to Europe, seeking solitude and distancing herself from the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle. She rarely appeared on screen, focusing on a small circle of friends. She developed a deep bond with Frank Sinatra, who remained a close friend until her death. Ava's health declined in the 1980s, and after suffering two strokes, she was bedridden. She passed away on January 25, 1990.
Ava Gardner was an enchanting beauty who struggled to find happiness in her personal life but achieved great success as a Hollywood actress. Despite her insecurities about her own talent, she left a lasting legacy with her performances in movies such as "Mogambo" (1953), for which she received her first Oscar nomination. Ava's beauty and talent continue to captivate audiences, and her tragic love stories and turbulent personal life make her an enduring icon of the silver screen.
