Ava Sambora Is Richie Sambora's Only Daughter He Left Bon Jovi For All We Know About Her

Richie Sambora's 30 years of sharing the stage with the legendary Bon Jovi ended in 2013 when he decided he wanted more family time. More specifically, the master guitarist wanted to be with his then-teenage daughter Ava Sambora as he felt they needed each other in that period.

Ava's father was married once. He married actress Heather Locklear in 1994. The couple welcomed their only child in 1997 and named her Ava Elizabeth Sambora. The proud father has always been close to his daughter, and that love led him to sacrifice his passion to be with her by resigning from Bon Jovi.

Ava has grown up around celebrities, as her parents had successful careers in the entertainment industry. This may have influenced her to want to follow in her mother's footsteps by trying her hand at acting and modeling, which is not surprising as her mother is one of her biggest inspirations and supporter.

Richie Sambora and Ava Sambora arrive at the 12th Annual Golden Heart Awards Gala held at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on May 7, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

Ava Sambora Had an Unusual Childhood

Ava was born in Los Angeles on October 4, 1997, to no ordinary parents. Both parents are world-famous in their respective fields; hence, it was always going to be difficult for Ava to have a normal childhood. In interviews, she has always spoken about the love she got from her parents.

Her father went the extra mile to ensure his daughter did not miss him too much. Although he was always working and spending a lot of time on tour, the rock star would fly privately back home to attend his daughter's special school occasions and other life events. Ava noted:

"He showed up to every football game I cheerleaded at, every dance recital I performed in, and all of my school functions no matter how far he had to travel. He even flew all the way from Australia to surprise me at my cotillion for the father-daughter dance."

Who Is Ava's Father, Richie Sambora?

Richard Stephen Sambora is a famous rock guitarist born on July 11, 1959. He is a native of Middlesex County, New Jersey, where he grew up and attended Woodbridge High School. The artist began playing the accordion at a very young age and picked up the guitar in his early teens.

Straight after high school, Richie followed the path into the music industry and took part in various musical projects as he developed his craft. His career got its breakthrough in 1983 when he joined Bon Jovi as the lead guitarist and songwriter. He was part of the band for 30 years as they made history together.

Aside from being a guitarist and songwriter in the rock band, Richie was more than capable as a vocalist; hence, he also invested his time in individual projects. In 1991, he released his debut solo album, "Stranger in This Town." The album was successful as it entered the Billboard and UK top album charts.

Richie Sambora and Ava Sambora arrive at the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California on April 26, 2014 | Source: Getty Images

Richie Sambora Stepped off the Stage to Spend More Time with His Daughter

Ava is Richie Sambora's only child, and the musician has consistently shown that by giving her his undivided attention. Ava, for her part, has accepted the mantle of being dad's little girl by showing appreciation for her father's efforts. Richie Sambora made a massive sacrifice for Ava by leaving Bon Jovi.

He left the band to spend more time with his daughter. Richie had been the lead guitarist for Bon Jovi for 30 years and contributed to songwriting and vocals, meaning his work took up much of his time. Although his career meant a lot, he did not regret his decision. He said:

“What it came down to was my daughter. She was turning 16. I had been out on the road for a long time and I realized I missed a lot of her life that I didn’t want to miss. I said, ‘Love and happiness is worth more than the currency of money.’"

Richie Sambora and Daughter Ava at the premiere of Summit Entertainment's "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in Westwood, California on November 16, 2009 | Getty Images

Ava Sambora Tried Acting and Modeling like Her Famous Mother

Ava Sambora seeks to create her own success story and not rest on her parents' successes. She made her acting debut as a teenager in Judd Apatow's "This Is 40." Her father confirmed that she had gone through the process of auditioning for the role and did not have to receive any favors.

Ava also has a strong interest in modeling and wishes to make a career out of it. She made her modeling debut during the Los Angeles Fashion Weekend in 2010, walking for her father's White Trash Beautiful clothing line. Currently, she is listed on The Industry's website for models.

Although her mother may have inspired her to act, she credits supermodels Gigi Hadid and Ariel winter as inspirations for her modeling passion. Ava is yet to make it big in any of the two industries but looks set to have a significant impact in at least one, especially since she has completed her studies.

Heather Locklear and Ava Sambora at the 'Scary Movie V' Los Angeles premiere at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California on April 11, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

Ava Wants to Pursue a Career in Psychology

Ava attended Viewpoint High School in Calabasas, California, where she graduated in 2015. While in high school, she participated in various extracurricular activities, most notably on the cheerleading team. After attaining exemplary grades, she proceeded to study at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

In college, she continued where she left off in high school by being active in extracurricular activities. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Women's Fraternity at her school. She graduated from college on May 10, 2020, and celebrated the occasion by posting a picture in her mother's backyard with a caption that read:

"Yesterday I graduated from Loyola Marymount University! I earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies! I am hoping to attend graduate school in Fall of 2021! Thank you to all the wonderful people in my life who made this journey possible!"

Ava Praises Her Mother for Being the Main Supporter in Her Struggle with Anxiety

Despite some speculation that Heather Locklear was

of her daughter and her remarkable life, Ava does not hold that view of her mother. She adamantly refuted the rumors and credited her mother for helping her through life.

One particular case happened in 2019 when Ava suffered from anxiety. Her mother, who had been by her side since birth, continued that role even as Ava grew older and more independent. Her daughter was not living with her when she had the anxiety attacks, but Heather would still comfort her through late-night calls. Ava noted:

“My mom always taught me to be kind to whomever I met. She treats every person with respect and makes them feel important. While she embodies kindness in many ways, her ability to care for and give to others is what I admire most."

Heather Locklear and Ava Sambora at the "This Is 40" - Los Angeles Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 12, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

Ava Sambora Seems to Be Very Much in Love

Ava also has another special someone in her life besides her mother and father. His name is Tyler Farrar. The young couple has been dating since March 2019, and Ava does not miss a chance to show her boyfriend and the world her love for him. She regularly posts him on her social media.

Their relationship began with a lot of traveling. They took trips to places such as San Francisco and Spain before they were interrupted by the Covid pandemic in 2020. However, from their Instagram posts, they appear to be back at it as the pandemic restrictions have eased up.

Like his girlfriend, Farrar also

Loyola Marymount University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. His area of interest appears to be in real estate, as he currently works as an investment associate at Pacific Partners Real Estate Investments. He also holds a real estate salesperson license.

The only daughter of Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear, Ava Sambora, is making considerable strides in her pursuit of a successful career in whichever industry she ends up settling into. She is talented in many things, and with the support and love of her parents, she can reach more significant heights.

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