As Ava Gardner's reputation as an actress soared, so did the tally of her romantic entanglements, spanning from Frank Sinatra to Dominguín.
Revered as "the most beautiful animal in the world" during her prime, Ava Gardner (USA, 1922–United Kingdom, 1990) resisted subjective labels, earning the moniker "the indomitable." In an era where men monopolized lovers and asserted dominance through drinking, Gardner asserted her ownership over her life, lamenting that her beauty often overshadowed her extraordinary acting talent.
A chance encounter with a talent scout led her into cinema at 18, propelled by a captivating portrait taken by her photographer brother-in-law. Mickey Rooney, a star at Metro Goldwyn Mayer, was smitten by the woman with a mature face. Their marriage became a tumultuous affair marked by excesses and infidelity, ultimately ending in Gardner evicting him in 1943.
The wealthy Howard Hughes courted her, but Gardner's heart belonged to the married conductor Artie Shaw. Despite offering Hughes a life of luxury, she opted for Shaw, only to be abandoned later. Her role in "The Killers" brought Hollywood acclaim and rescued her from the depths of despair. As her star rose, so did her notoriety: a 23-year-old with two divorces, a penchant for alcohol, and a reputation as a man-eater. Enter Frank Sinatra.
Sinatra, married to Nancy Barbato, engaged in an affair with Gardner while she alternated with Robert Mitchum. In 1950, filming "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" in Spain with Mario Cabré, Gardner's romantic entanglements became public. Sinatra, fueled by jealousy, confronted her in S'Agaró. Despite the turbulence, Gardner's love for Spain persisted, and she married Sinatra in 1951. Post-"Mogambo," Gardner's mythic status solidified, with Clark Gable pursuing her during filming. Unfaithful again, she turned to Bunny Allen, her big-game advisor.
Acquiring a house in Madrid in 1954, Gardner continued her passionate liaisons, this time with Luis Miguel Dominguín, while Sinatra pined from afar. Books, series, and documentaries capture the era's hedonistic days. Post-divorce from Sinatra, Gardner's tumultuous relationship with actor George C. Scott unfolded during the filming of "The Bible" (1966). Allegedly, director John Huston employed the local mob to shield her from Scott's anger.
The '70s marked Gardner's decline, her talent showcased in "Earthquake" and "The Blue Bird," followed by a shift to television films after 1982. Years of excesses took a toll on her health, leading to strokes and partial paralysis. Retiring in London, she spent her final years with a dog and assistant Carmen Vargas. Sinatra, her ex-husband and friend, tried to secure medical help for her, but it was too late. Ava Gardner never boarded that plane.
