Ava Lavinia Gardner was a famous Hollywood beauty of the 1940s and 1950s. Her stunning looks made her one of the most popular leading ladies of the day, and her reputation for wild behavior -- and marriages to stars Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra -- made her a favorite with gossip magazines. Her best-known films include Showboat (1951) and The Barefoot Contessa (1953). She received her only Oscar nomination for Mogambo (1953). Her autobiography Ava, My Story was published after her death.

Gardner is listed as one of the American Film Institute's greatest stars of all time.

• Ava Gardner - Remembering the fabulous Miss Gardner!
• avagardner: Photo Albums