Management Team
Ava Gardner loved to talk on the phone to spread the news and hear from family and friends.
Ava Gardner’s intellectual property is represented by three members of her family: John Grimes, Ava Thompson, and Ava Silver. We all knew Ava well, spent time with her, and are dedicated to fulfilling our duties as trustees under the Trust she established in 1986. Equally important, we endeavor to authentically represent and protect her personal legacy, which was defined by a spirit of giving.
To that end, we carefully select only the types of goods that Ava used or would have liked, remaining true to her personal preferences. To inquire about rights or licensing, please use the short contact form in the "Get in Touch" section of our website. We also enjoy representing her on various occasions, and have included three captioned photos below for your reference.
Ava Thompson
Ava Thompson has served the Trust since September of 2018. She is the great niece and namesake of Ava Gardner. Ava is a retired school administrator with an MS degree in Educational Administration. During the span of her career, Ava served as a high school English teacher, a middle school and high school principal, and a district level administrator. She enjoys cycling, boating, and spending time with her four grandchildren.
Ava Silver
Ava Silver has served the Trust since September of 2020. She is the daughter of Ava Thompson and the fourth generation Ava in Ava Gardner’s family, a great, grandniece. Ava is a cardiac intensive care nurse at ECU Health Medical Center, a very large teaching hospital in eastern North Carolina. Ava is the mother of two children, Ava Isabella and Reeve, and enjoys traveling and scuba diving.
John Grimes
John Grimes, a resident of New York, is the newest member of the Ava Gardner Trust management team and a great nephew of Ava Gardner. He is an attorney with JP Morgan Chase where he is Managing Director of the Corporate Tax Division. John graduated from Duke University in NC and holds an LLM degree from New York University School of Law. He enjoys music, running, and he is active in his church.
“As a team, we are eager and enthusiastic to protect, promote, and continue the legacy of Ava Gardner – a legacy of giving! We love and honor her memory, her kindness, and her generous spirit!”
– Ava Thompson, Ava Gardner Trust