Clint Eastwood’s long-time partner breathes her last at 61, actor confirms in heartbreaking statement

Clint Eastwood has confirmed that his long-time partner, Christina Sandera passed away at 61.

“Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much,” Eastwood, 94, said in a statement late last week, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The couple had been together for almost 10 years, and though they kept their relationship relatively private, fans did get to see them on the red carpet together for the premieres of The Mule (2018) and The 15:17 to Paris (also 2018).

The pair first stepped out together as an item at the 2015 Academy Awards, where American Sniper, Eastwood’s popular adaption of the autobiography by former United States Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, received six nominations.

However, it was all the way back in June 2014 that Us Weekly first reported that Eastwood and Sandera were romantically involved. At the time, it was claimed that Sandera had been an employee at the Mission Ranch hotel and restaurant in Carmel, California, an establishment Eastwood owns.

Fast forward half a year, and the iconic actor had finalized his divorce from his second wife, Dina Eastwood, after a 17-year union.

Eastwood was first married to his wife, Maggie Johnson, from 1953 to 1984.

As for further details of Sandera’s passing, a representative from Warner Bros told The Hollywood Reporter: “No further information will be forthcoming.”

Now having turned 94, Eastwood is reportedly hard at work on what might prove to be his final ever flick.

Fans can’t wait his upcoming Juror No. 2, with the general consensus that the movie will mark the last professional project of Eastwood’s long and storied career, after which he can settle down and enter well-deserved retirement.