EXCLUSIVE: Linked by ink! Heather Locklear, 61, steps out in Malibu and shows off new TATTOO in honor of her daughter Ava, 25, who's stuck by her mom during her darkest days of addiction, DUIs and rehab

DailyMail.com spotted actress Heather Locklear, 61, showing off a new wrist tattoo in honor of her daughter Ava Sambora, 25The Melrose Place alum was seen leaving upscale Greek restaurant Taverna  Tony after dining with friends last week in MalibuShe was dressed casually in all black, did not wear her engagement ring and showed off the tattoo that read 'Ava'

Heather Locklear is showing off her tattoo that she got in honor of her only child Ava, who has been her mother’s rock throughout the actress’ battles with addiction, arrests and rehab.

DailyMail.com spotted the actress, 61, last week with the new ink visible on her wrist as she left lunch at upscale Greek restaurant Taverna Tony in Malibu.

Her new tattoo reads ‘Ava’, which is the name of her 25-year-old daughter whose dad is Heather’s rocker ex-husband Richie Sambora, 63.

The Melrose Place alum was dressed casually in a black t-shirt, yoga pants and baseball cap with a smiley face on it. She wore flip flops and carried a Louis Vuitton purse after dining with friends.

DailyMail.com spotted actress Heather Locklear, 61, showing off a new wrist tattoo in honor of her daughter Ava Sambora, 25

Her new tattoo reads ‘Ava’, which is the name of her 25-year-old daughter whose dad is Heather’s rocker ex-husband Richie Sambora, 63

Ava is Heather’s only child. The doting mother has expressed how proud she is of her daughter, who has just graduated with her Master’s from USC

The Melrose Place alum was dressed casually in a black t-shirt, yoga pants and baseball cap with a smiley face on it

She wore flip flops and carried a Louis Vuitton purse after dining with friends

DailyMail.com spotted the actress, 61, last week showing off her new ink as she left lunch at upscale Greek restaurant Taverna Tony in Malibu

It’s been Ava’s steadfast support of her mother that was said to have helped the star finally get sober in 2019.

Ava reportedly had a front-row seat to her mother’s fall from grace that kicked off with a DUI after she and Sambora split in 2006.

The next decade was filled with hospitalizations, several arrests and 20 stints in rehab.

As the actress 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.

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

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

So it’s no surprise Heather got her daughter’s name tattooed on her wrist to keep her near at all times.

It’s been Ava’s steadfast support of her mother that was said to have helped the star finally get sober in 2019

Ava reportedly had a front-row seat to her mother’s fall from grace that kicked off with a DUI after she and Sambora split in 2006. The next decade was filled with hospitalizations, several arrests and 20 stints in rehab

Ava is the daughter of Locklear and former Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora; the trio are pictured in 2005, a year before their split

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

‘Ava has a very loving and supportive relationship with her mom,’ a source told People in 2019 while Heather was in rehab.

‘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.’

Last week DailyMail.com obtained the exclusive photos of the 25-year-old as she picked up her Master’s degree at the University of Southern California.

Ava beamed with pride as she wore her cap and stole that said Class of 2023 while posing on the campus.

‘Today I will graduate from USC with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy!’ Ava said.

‘I am beyond grateful for the past two years and all the wonderful people I met along the way. Cheers to the class of 2023!’

Her mom attended the graduation and wrote on Instagram, ‘Such a proud mama. Congratulations my baby, with your masters in MFT. With your hard work and perseverance and kind heart.’

Last week DailyMail.com obtained the exclusive photos of the 25-year-old as she picked up her Master’s degree at the University of Southern California

Last week, Heather attended a friend’s wedding with her fiancé Chris Heisser and posted a photo of the occasion to her social media. Fans thought this meant the couple had gotten married, but Heather later clarified that they have not

DailyMail.com broke the exciting news in 2020 that three years after rekindling her relationship with her high school sweetheart Chris, she accepted his proposal. Heather, Ava and Chris are pictured together in a social media snap

Last week, Heather attended a friend’s wedding with her fiancé Chris Heisser and posted a photo of the occasion to her Instagram.

‘Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Woods,’ she wrote, alongside a shot of her and Chris’ names that appeared to be written with frosting onto their dessert.

Fans thought this meant the couple had gotten married, but Heather later clarified by writing, ‘Oh dear, I did not get married. I’m so sorry it came out differently. I was at a best friend [sic] wedding for who’ve I’ve know [sic] all my life.’

Though for her outing last week she was seen without her huge engagement ring, the couple are still very much together.

DailyMail.com broke the exciting news in 2020 that three years after rekindling her relationship with her high school sweetheart Chris, she accepted his proposal.

She has been going steady with her on/off beau since cleaning up her act following a highly-publicized stint in rehab.

The pair dated in the late 1970’s at Newbury Park High School, went through multiple marriages and have had their share of ups and downs since getting back together in the fall of 2017.

The couple were once a item before Heather went on to marry rockers Tommy Lee from 1986-1993 and Sambora from 1994-2006.