How Heather Locklear’s daughter Ava Sambora has stood by her side through addiction and rehab 

Amid Heather Locklear’s rollercoaster of scandals, arrests, and addiction issues, there has been one person who has stuck by her through it all – her fiercely loyal look-alike daughter, Ava Sambora.

Heather, 61, cemented herself as a beacon of Hollywood success throughout the ’80s and ’90s, thanks to her roles in wildly popular shows like Melrose Place and Dynasty – but in the early 2000s, she embarked on a sudden downward spiral that saw her facing numerous run-ins with the law, multiple hospitalizations, and over 20 stints in rehab. 

Ava, now 25 – whom Heather welcomed with her ex-husband, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, in 1997 – never wavered from her side, and it was her long-lasting and steadfast support that was said to have helped the star finally get sober in 2019.

Heather’s descend from the top first began in 2008 – one year after she and Richie, now 63, opted to go her separate ways.

As Ava, who recently received her masters degree from the University of Southern California, continues to make her mother ‘proud,’ FEMAIL and recapped their very special relationship

At the time, she was arrested for a suspected DUI, and even though it was later revealed that she was sober when she was taken into custody, the event was the first of many controversial endeavors to plague the Spin City alum. 

Over the next decade, police would be called to Heather’s home on multiple occasions, and she would rack up eight different charges after allegedly attacking law enforcement officials who were trying to calm her down.

 To what she’s said about growing up in the spotlight and how she helped Heather overcome her substance abuse struggles to her own impressive achievements and booming career – here’s everything we know about Heather’s ‘miracle’ daughter, Ava

And Ava reportedly had a front-row seat to it all. As the now 61-year-old continued her implosion, it was said that her young daughter was left heartbroken, and ‘begged’ her mother to get the help that she desperately needed.

Even so, the now-25-year-old stood by her mom through it all – in fact, Heather’s powerful journey to sobriety has seemed to only make her and her daughter closer.

Ava, who followed in Heather’s footsteps and launched her own career as an actress and model, has been very outspoken about how much her mom has taught her over the years – and she even once credited the movie star with helping her to overcome her ‘debilitating’ anxiety.

Heather has been just as loud about how much Ava means to her, referring to her as a ‘miracle’ and praising her ‘kindness’ and ‘strength’ in previous interviews.

As Ava, who recently received her masters degree from the University of Southern California, continues to make her mother ‘proud,’ FEMAIL went ahead and recapped their very special relationship from start to finish.

To what she’s said about growing up in the spotlight and how she helped Heather overcome her substance abuse struggles to her own impressive achievements and booming career – here’s everything we know about Heather’s ‘miracle’ daughter, Ava.

Downward spiral: Heather faced numerous run-ins with the law and was hospitalized multiple times – all while her young daughter Ava ‘begged’ her to get help

Heather and Richie Sambora tied the knot in December 1994, and they welcomed Ava together in October 1997. They are seen together right after her birth

After 12 years together, Heather (seen with Ava throughout her childhood) filed for divorce in 2006, and when it was finalized in 2007, the exes received joint custody

But soon after she and Richie went their separate ways, Heather’s troubles began. She is seen with Ava when she was little

Heather and Richie tied the knot in December 1994, and they welcomed Ava together in October 1997.

However, after 12 years together, she filed for divorce in 2006, and when it was finalized in 2007, the exes received joint custody of then-nine-year-old Ava.

Then, in September 2008, she faced her first run-in with the law, when she was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. She plead no contest to reckless driving

But soon after she and Richie went their separate ways, Heather’s troubles began.

In March 2008, it was reported that her doctor had called 911 after he started to worry that she was going to end her life. Emergency responders rushed to her home, but said she appeared to be fine.

Then, in September 2008, she faced her first run-in with the law, when she was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Although tests confirmed her blood alcohol level was under the legal limit, authorities believed that prescription medication she was taking for her anxiety and depression had caused her erratic driving.

She ultimately plead no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to three years probation. 

In February 2018, she was arrested for domestic violence and battery against a police officer after she allegedly kicked three law enforcement officials while they were trying to calm her down during an argument between her and her boyfriend, Chris Heisser – all of which Ava reportedly witnessed.

In February 2018, she was arrested again after she allegedly kicked law enforcement officials while they were trying to calm her down during an argument between her and her boyfriend

She then headed to rehab, and at the time, a source told Entertainment Tonight that it was her daughter who encouraged her to finally ‘get the help she needs’

‘Ava begged her mom to go to rehab,’ a source told the outlet. ‘[She] wants her mother to get clean and sober once and for all’

She then headed to rehab, and at the time, a source told Entertainment Tonight that it was her daughter who encouraged her to finally ‘get the help she needs.’

‘Ava begged her mom to go to rehab,’ a source told the outlet. ‘[She] wants her mother to get clean and sober once and for all.’

She was arrested again in June 2018 – this time, for allegedly attacking a police officer and EMT after they received a ‘disturbance’ call from her home

However, Heather’s problems weren’t over. In June 2018, she was hospitalized after she reportedly threatened to shoot herself over suspicions that Chris was cheating on her. 

She also reportedly started choking her mother and hit her father when they tried to calm her down.

She was then put under a three-day psychiatric hold, but days after returning home, she was arrested again – this time, for allegedly attacking a police officer and EMT after they received a ‘disturbance’ call from her home. 

She was released hours later, after paying $20,000 bail, but was rushed to the hospital later that day due to a suspected overdose. 

Afterwards, a source told Us Weekly that Ava was ‘heartbroken’ over her mother’s continued downward spiral. 

The insider said that the Dynasty star’s ‘erratic behavior’ left the then-20-year-old ‘really sad.’ They added that she and Heather were ‘always incredibly close,’ which made it even harder for her. 

But thankfully, they said Ava’s father was a ‘great support system,’ and that she was ‘leaning on him’ amid Heather’s on-going struggles.

Road to sobriety: After more than 20 rehab stints, Heather finally turned it around – thanks, in part, to her daughter’s unwavering support

In the months that followed, Heather was in and out of treatment facilities ’20 times’ before she finally got sober in 2019 – and Ava never gave up on her mother. they are seen together in 2013

At the time, Richie exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that he has assembled a team of doctors and specialists to ensure Heather and their daughter’s best interests were taken care of. 

‘I will of course always be there for Heather, and especially Ava,’ he said. ‘I am very proud of my daughter for her composure and strength during this difficult time.’ 

 Throughout her downward spiral and numerous stints in rehab, the mother-daughter duo stayed very close, and Ava’s support never wavered. They are seen in 2017

In the months that followed, Heather was in and out of treatment facilities ’20 times’ before she finally got sober in 2019 – and Ava never gave up on her mother. 

Throughout her downward spiral and numerous stints in rehab, the mother-daughter duo stayed very close, and Ava’s support never wavered.

Heather’s legal troubles were finally put to rest when she plead no contest to her outstanding eight charges, which resulted in her being sentenced to 30 days in a residential mental health facility. 

‘Ava has a very loving and supportive relationship with her mom,’ a source said to People at the time. 

‘And as painful it is, she knows that it’s in her mom’s hands and God’s hands. All she can do is like anybody else, just pray and support.’ 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, it was reported by People that Ava was quarantining with her mother, who was a year sober at that point, as well as Heather’s parents.

‘Heather is gardening, taking walks and cooking like a fiend. She cooks for herself, Ava and her parents. It’s very sweet,’ revealed someone who was close to the actress. 

In an essay she penned for People in 2020, Ava spoke out about how her mom helped her overcome her own ‘debilitating’ anxiety. They are pictured together in 2016

She added that Heather ‘always made her feel heard’ and ‘never judged her.’ ‘She treats every person with respect and makes them feel important,’ gushed the now-25-year-old

‘It’s really amazing to see how she managed to turn things around. Heather is always happiest when she is with her daughter.’

In an essay she penned for People in 2020, Ava spoke out about how her mom helped her overcome her own ‘debilitating’ anxiety. 

‘My mom has shown me kindness in so many ways,’ she wrote. ‘I lived almost an hour away from her, and when I would have anxiety attacks, she would drive over and visit me. 

‘Anytime of the day, she would stop what she was doing and come to comfort me. When I would insist she did not have to, she would stay on the phone with me late into the night, until I was calm enough to sleep.’

She added that Heather ‘always made her feel heard’ and ‘never judged her.’ 

‘She treats every person with respect and makes them feel important,’ continued the now-25-year-old.

Heather praised her daughter’s ‘confidence and strength’ in the article, while calling her a ‘miracle.’ They are seen together in 2012

‘While she embodies kindness in many ways, her ability to care for and give to others is what I admire most. She is selfless and inspires me to be selfless as well.’

Heather praised her daughter’s ‘confidence and strength’ in the article, while calling her a ‘miracle.’

‘She never has a bad word to say about anyone, and for a teenage girl, that is something,’ she gushed.

‘She doesn’t feel the need to put others down in order to feel better about herself. I’ve often seen her transform a potential gossip fest into a conversation about that person’s most amazing attributes.

‘Ava is an example to me to always try to find the good in someone. I have watched her from afar and up close throughout her life, and I aspire to be more like her. 

‘Her kindness is contagious. We are very close, and I am blessed to call her my daughter. 

‘She is completely unaware of all the good she brings to this world – it’s just who she is. I couldn’t be more proud of her.’

Following in her mom’s footsteps: Ava started acting and modeling as a teen – and recently received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy

It’s clear that the actress and her daughter have a very-tight bond, and they even turn to each other for fashion advice. Ava is seen wearing one of her mom’s shirts

Back in 2020, Ava revealed that she had raided Heather’s wardrobe , while sharing a snap of herself posing in one of her mom’s old Bon Jovi tank tops. Heather is seen wearing it in 2000 

Ava has followed in her mother’s footsteps. She started acting back in 2012, and has starred in Judd Apatow’s film This Is 40 and Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie (seen)

It’s clear that the actress and her daughter have a very-tight bond, and they even turn to each other for fashion advice.

Back in May 2020, Ava revealed that she had raided Heather’s wardrobe, while sharing a snap of herself posing in one of her mom’s old Bon Jovi tank tops. 

‘I got it from my mama (Like I literally got this shirt from my mom’s closet),’ she captioned the photo on Instagram. 

Ava has also followed in her mother’s footsteps when it comes to her career. She started acting back in 2012, when she starred in Judd Apatow’s film This Is 40.

She then appeared in the Disney Channel series Good Luck Charlie, and the sitcom Fresh Off The Boat. 

Her other acting credits include the 2018 TV movie Mommy Be Mine and the thriller flick A Dark Foe. 

She also appeared in the YouTube series SummerBreak 3, a fake reality series that followed a group of students during their summer break. 

But it seems as though Ava (seen in 2019) has opted for a much-quieter lifestyle in recent years, turning her social media profile to private and taking a step back from acting

She graduated from Viewpoint High School in Calabasas in June 2015, and then headed off to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she studied psychology

After finishing college in 2020 – with a GPA of 4.0 – she enrolled at University Of Southern California, where she recently received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy

She is also a successful model. She made her debut in 2016, and was then signed to The Industry Model MGMT LA. 

She has since posed for the apparel company Tally Weijl, the swimwear brand Baes and Bikinis, and her dad’s clothing line, White Trash Beautiful.

Ava has been open about the downsides to growing up in the spotlight. She told ET that seeing her parents on the cover of magazines while in the supermarket as a child was difficult for her

But it seems as though Ava has opted for a much-quieter lifestyle in recent years, turning her social media profile to private and taking a step back from modeling and acting to focus on her academics instead.

She graduated from Viewpoint High School in Calabasas in June 2015, and then headed off to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she studied psychology.

At the university, she joined the sorority Alpha Phi, but she told ET that her classwork always came first.

‘I like to do what I think is cool, not what other people think is cool. I’m not into partying. I’m not about it,’ she said. ‘Don’t try to persuade me, it won’t work.’

After finishing college in 2020 – with a GPA of 4.0 – she enrolled at University Of Southern California, where she recently received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

Ava has been open about the downsides to growing up in the spotlight. She told ET that seeing her parents on the cover of magazines while in the supermarket as a child was difficult for her.

‘I’d get upset about the [negative stuff the magazines would write]. I couldn’t understand, it would really shake me to the core,’ she admitted. She and Heather are seen in 2013

While speaking to Wingman magazine in 2019, Ava recalled the moment she realized her mother and father were famous, which she called ‘surreal.’ They are seen in 2005

‘I’d get upset about the [negative stuff the magazines would write]. I couldn’t understand, it would really shake me to the core,’ she admitted. ‘I was like, “Why would they talk about my parents that way?”‘

‘I was never concerned with their fame,’ she explained. ‘It was kind of surreal to come into that realization, because they are just mom and dad. Then all of a sudden, it becomes clear just how world-wide celebrated they are’

While speaking to Wingman magazine in 2019, Ava recalled the moment she realized her mother and father were famous, which she called ‘surreal.’

‘I was never concerned with their fame,’ she explained. ‘It was kind of surreal to come into that realization, because they are just mom and dad.

‘Then all of a sudden, it becomes clear just how world-wide celebrated they are, and how incredibly talented they are, and it becomes an even bigger privilege for them to be my parents on a larger scale, outside of the day-to-day family basis.

‘As I got older, I learned to appreciate it more – especially since I would love to follow in my mother’s footsteps.’

She also dished on the important advice that her mom gave her when she started her own career as an actress.

‘The best advice my mother ever gave me was not to take everything so personally. There are going to be a thousand times you’ll hear “no,” but, it only takes a few yeses, and waiting for those yeses will be worth it,’ she continued.

‘I think that’s such an important mindset to have in this business. There could be a million reasons why they don’t want you for a part.

As for her love life, she started dating a fellow Loyola student named Tyler Farrar in 2019 

But because her Instagram page is now private, it’s unclear whether or not they’re still together

‘It’s not always because you’re not good enough, it might just be because there was another girl that looked more like what they envisioned, or maybe they already had another girl signed on, or whatever it is. So, it’s important not to take it all personally because the yeses will come.’

When asked if her mother is ever ‘jealous’ over her success by ET, Ava called it the ‘most far-fetched thing she’s ever heard.

‘All she wants in my life is for me to do great things,’ she added. ‘She wants me to be happy and successful. 

‘She would never, ever do anything like that. She’s an inspiration to me and I’m very luck to have her.’

As for her love life, she started dating a fellow Loyola student named Tyler Farrar in 2019. 

But because her Instagram page is now private, it’s unclear whether or not they’re still together.