Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner: Hollywood Icon

Ava Gardner signed a contract with MGM in 1941, but it was her breakout role in 1946’s The Killers that launched her to stardom. Known for her striking beauty and captivating on-screen presence, Gardner also made headlines for her tumultuous personal life, which included marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra. She passed away on January 25, 1990, at the age of 67 in London, England.

Early Life

Ava Lavinia Gardner was born on December 24, 1922, in Grabtown, North Carolina, as the seventh child of a struggling farming family. At the age of two, Gardner’s family lost their tobacco farm and faced increasing financial hardship. Her father worked as a sharecropper, and her mother ran a boarding house to make ends meet. The family’s struggles deepened when Gardner’s father passed away when she was just 16.

Originally studying to be a secretary, Gardner’s life changed when her brother-in-law, a photographer, sent her photos to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Her natural beauty, with striking dark hair and green eyes, caught the attention of the studio, leading to a screen test and a seven-year contract at the age of 18.

Hollywood Career

Gardner’s early years in Hollywood were spent honing her craft within the MGM studio system. Her Southern accent required speech lessons, and her initial shyness in front of the camera made the transition to acting difficult. To calm her nerves, she would sometimes drink before filming.

Initially, Gardner was cast in minor roles, but her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Kitty Collins in The Killers (1946). The film’s success catapulted her to fame, securing more prominent roles in films such as The Hucksters (1947), Show Boat (1951), and The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952). Her performance in Mogambo (1953) earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Gardner’s beauty was a key part of her public image, epitomized by her role in The Barefoot Contessa (1954), where she portrayed a dancer rising from poverty to wealth. MGM famously marketed her as “The World’s Most Beautiful Animal.”

Off-Screen Life and Loves

Gardner’s personal life was as captivating as her on-screen roles. She met actor Mickey Rooney shortly after arriving in California, and the two married in 1942. However, the marriage lasted just one year, with Gardner accusing Rooney of infidelity. Her second marriage, to bandleader Artie Shaw in 1945, was also short-lived, ending after a year due to conflicts over Gardner’s insecurities about her lack of formal education.

Her most famous romance was with Frank Sinatra, whom she considered the love of her life. The couple married in 1951, following Sinatra’s separation from his wife. Their intense relationship was marked by passionate love and frequent arguments, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1957. Gardner also had high-profile relationships with figures like Howard Hughes and Spanish matadors, contributing to her reputation as a real-life femme fatale.

Legacy

Ava Gardner remains an enduring symbol of old Hollywood glamour, admired for her stunning beauty and remarkable performances. Despite the challenges in her personal life, her career left an indelible mark on the film industry, solidifying her as one of the most iconic actresses of her era.

Life After MGM and Final Years

After leaving MGM in 1958, Ava Gardner continued her acting career, although with less frequency. Notable films from this period include On the Beach (1959) and The Night of the Iguana (1964). However, as the years went by, offers for roles became fewer, and her work in film became more sporadic.

Gardner relocated to Spain for a time before settling in London in 1968. Despite the distance, she maintained a close relationship with Frank Sinatra, who supported her through difficult times. After suffering a stroke in 1986, Sinatra contacted her while she was in the hospital and later assisted with her medical expenses.

On January 25, 1990, Ava Gardner passed away in London due to pneumonia at the age of 67. She was laid to rest in North Carolina, beside her parents, bringing her remarkable life full circle.