Few stars better encapsulate Hollywood’s Golden Age than Ava Gardner. Her attitude and talent let her shine on screen, and she appeared in some of the most popular films of her era. Her personal life continues to fascinate several generations, with her marriage to Frank Sinatra serving as a goldmine for rumor. Despite her successful career, her life was not always easy…

Ava Gardner: The Bold Journey Of Strength, Passion, And Drama
Ava Gardner’s Rural Upbringing
Ava was born in 1922, and her early years were far removed from the Hollywood princess she would become. She grew raised on a farm with six siblings, and her family was not wealthy. Things got so bad that they couldn’t afford to keep the farm, so they relocated to Virginia to start over. However, their new life wasn’t any better. The Great Depression was right around the corner. Gardner’s father died of bronchitis when she was only 15 years old. Gardner had a devout background, but she abandoned religion after the priest forgot to see her father as he died. They returned to North Carolina after that. Gardner graduated from high school and pursued a profession as a secretary.

Ava Gardner’s Rural Upbringing