The Life of Film Star Ava Gardner in Photos (2024)

Ava Gardner was born in rural North Carolina, just outside of Smithfield. Her parents were tobacco farmers and she was the youngest of seven children.

Gardner's striking beauty is what landed her on Hollywood's radar. At the age of 18, after her photograph was spotted in her brother's New York City photography studio, the spotlight found her.

In 1941, Gardner moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood at the age of 18. Her sister, Beatrice, escorted her on the move.

Gardner signed a contract with Metro-Goldman-Meyer in 1941, one of Hollywood's biggest film studios. The seven-year contract was purely based on Gardner's looks.

Gardner had limited acting experience at the beginning of her career, so her first few roles in film were small one-liners. She was given acting lessons and speech training to smooth her southern accent as she worked her way up.

At 18 years old, Gardner announced her engagement to Hollywood heartthrob Mickey Rooney. The two met during one of Gardner's studio visits and the notorious playboy pursued the young starlet persistently. In 1941, they were granted permission by MGM to wed.

Gardner married Rooney on January 10, 1942 in a small church ceremony outside of Santa Barbara. For her nuptials, Gardner wore a simple grey suit paired with a short black tulle veil.

Even with her new glamorous life, Gardner often sought out activities that reminded her of her rural upbringing.

As her training continued under her MGM contract, Gardner started landing more roles and became Hollywood's newest starlet. Here, Gardner (bottom left) poses with her costars from Two Girls and a Sailor.

In 1943, Gardner was granted a divorce from her first husband, Rooney. Upon filing, the actress cited that Rooney was unfaithful to her.

After her marriage to Rooney ended, Gardner's fame continued to rise and she was marketed as Hollywood's next bombshell.

In 1944, Gardner became romantically linked to Jazz musician and band leader, Artie Shaw.

Gardner appears on stage with legendary entertainer Bob Hope at the Look Awards in Los Angeles in 1945.

Gardner and Shaw got married in a small ceremony in Beverly Hills in 1945. The bridal outfit she chose for the occasion was similar to her first wedding, featuring a white high collared blouse under a tweed suit and topped off with a flower and ribbon corsage.

Gardner grew a great deal while married to Shaw. The actress was insecure about her lack of education and the musician helped guide her by exposing her to culture and offering reading lists.

After a brief marriage, Gardner and Shaw divorced in 1946. Following their split, Gardner was linked to several of her male costars, including actor Robert Taylor.

Gardner appeared in her first feature role in 1946 in MGM's Whistle Stop. The actress handled the role exceptionally well, which prompted more roles.

After the success of Gardner's first major film, Whistle Stop, MGM loaned out the star's contract to Universal Pictures.

The release of Gardner's thriller, The Killers—which the star worked on through her loan to Universal Pictures—was her biggest role yet. She starred alongside Burt Lancaster and it was the first role where her acting ability caught the industry's eye.

After The Killers, Gardner worked steadily as one of the biggest names in Hollywood. In 1947 alone, the actress released two notable films: The Huckster (which she's seen on the set of here) and Singapore.