Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Sinatra first met Ava Gardner in 1945, but saw her only sporadically until late 1949, when they began their relationship. Their relationship was extremely tempestuous, and coincided with the collapse of Sinatra`s professional career, as Gardner`s blossomed. They married on November 7, 1951, ten days after Sinatra`s divorce from Barbato became final. Both were frequently made jealous by the other`s extramarital affairs, Gardner`s power in Hollywood helped Sinatra get cast in From Here to Eternity (1953), and his subsequent Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor helped revitalize Sinatra`s professional career. They separated in October of 1953, and finally divorced in 1957.