Ava Gardner was a true icon for the film industry of the 50s. Her sensuality and dazzling beauty made her an eternal star. The actress came to be at the level of famous faces of the time such as Rita Hayworth.
Her landing in the film industry was somewhat peculiar. Through a photograph taken by her brother-in-law and displayed in the window of her business. An executive from the Metro Goldwyn Mayer film company saw her and decided to give the young woman a chance at a casting.
From that moment, Gardner made the firm decision to succeed in Hollywood. Her fame was consolidated thanks to the film Outlaws (1946). It was the beginning of a great career that would reach its peak in the 50s, with other renowned titles such as Las Nieves del Kilimanjaro (1952) or The Knights of King Arthur (1953).
Ava Gardner and nickname her, why did she hate him?
Ava Gardner was already a well-known actress when she filmed Joseph L. Mankiewicz's The Barefoot Contessa. The publicists tasked with promoting the feature film came up with a perfect slogan to sell Gardner. They invented the nickname for her that continues to accompany her in eternity: "The most beautiful animal in the world." A round phrase. She sold the product and ended up becoming part of international film culture.
However, the actress was not amused by this nickname. She preferred to be called 'The Barefoot Contessa'. Her family was dedicated to the cultivation of tobacco and she was passionate about running around the countryside without shoes. Undoubtedly, feeling nature under her feet became one of her favorite hobbies.
Ava Gardner's couples
Ava Gardner was married three times. Her first relationship was with actor Mickey Rooney. They barely reached the year of marriage. Her second husband, in 1945, was the musician Artie Shaw. But her great love was the singer and actor Frank Sinatra. They were six years full of comings and goings that the press took full advantage of to obtain economic revenue. Although the bond was toxic, they have remained one of the most famous iconic couples in cinema.
She loved Spain. She lived in Madrid between her comings and goings from Sinatra. Here she enjoyed and fell in love. A bullfighter, Luis Miguel Dominguín, stole her heart. Her love stories always occupied the covers of magazines. A movie story.
After a life marked by her beauty, success, and her passionate love, Gardner's health took a hit. In 1986 she experienced her first stroke which caused her weakness. Sometime later, she contracted pneumonia that she could not overcome. On January 25, 1990, the celebrated actress Ella passed away at the age of 67 in England.
