Ava Lavinia Gardner

Ava Gardner was born Lucy Johnson on a tobacco farm in Grabtown, North Carolina December 24, 1922. She was the youngest of seven children. Ava grew up to be one of the world's most beautiful women ever.

Ava started her career in 1940 at age 18. It all started when her brother-in-law had a picture of her in his window and this brought her to the attention of MGM which quickly lead to Hollywood and a movie totally based on her beauty. She didn't even believe in her own acting ability but she had lots and lots of talent. 

She made several movies early in her career but "The Killers" in 1946 made her famous. Ava acted in about 60 movies from 1941 until 1982. She was nominated twice for an Oscar but never won. Ava was married three times, to actor Mickey Rooney from 1941-1943, to band leader Artie Shaw from 1945-1946, and to Frank Sinatra from 1951-1957.  

Ava had a stroke in 1989, which left her partially paralyzed. Frank Sinatra paid for her medical expenses. She died of pneumonia in London, England on January 25, 1990 and is buried in Smithfield, North Carolina.

by Caroline & Chloe, fourth grade, 2005