Ava Gardner was primarily of Scots-Irish, English, and Irish American descent.
Born into a modest background in the small farming community of Brogden, North Carolina, Ava Gardner's heritage was a blend of various European roots. Her parents, Mary Elizabeth Gardner and Jonas Bailey Gardner, each contributed distinct ancestral lines to her background.
Her mother, Mary Elizabeth, was a Baptist with clear Scots-Irish and English ancestry. On her father's side, Jonas Bailey, a Roman Catholic, held Irish American and American descent. This combination reflects a common tapestry of immigration and settlement in the United States, particularly from the British Isles.
Ancestral Breakdown
Understanding Ava Gardner's ethnicity involves looking at the specific origins of her parents:
- Maternal Lineage (Mary Elizabeth Gardner):
- Scots-Irish
- English
- Paternal Lineage (Jonas Bailey Gardner):
- Irish American
- American
The term "American" in this context often implies several generations of settlement within the United States, with earlier roots potentially tracing back to various European countries, including but not limited to, the British Isles.
This rich mix of European heritage contributed to the unique identity of one of Hollywood's most iconic stars.
