Christina Sandera, Clint Eastwood's longtime partner, dies at 61: Reports

Christina Sandera, the longtime partner of Clint Eastwood, has reportedly died. She was 61.

“Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much,” Eastwood, 94, said in a statement Thursday, per The Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap. A cause of death was not given.

USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Eastwood for comment.

On Saturday, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation paid tribute to Sandera, who was one of the nonprofit's board members, on social media.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic news of our beloved board member, Christina Sandera’s passing on July 18, 2024," the organization's Instagram account shared in the caption of a post.

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The foundation described Sandera as "a dedicated philanthropist and animal activist" who was passionate about equestrian issues and marine life. She and Eastwood previously hosted a gala for the foundation at the Tehàma Clubhouse, which the "Million Dollar Baby" actor/director owns.

"Despite being connected to high-profile celebrity life, Christina often eschewed the spotlight. She was far more comfortable in her jeans, pigtails, and baseball hat, shoveling and tending to her beloved horses and animals. She was a 'roll up your sleeves' kind of person, always hands-on and deeply involved in her passions," the caption says.

Christina Sandera, Clint Eastwood debuted their relationship in 2015

Sandera and Eastwood kept their relationship relatively private over the past decade, aside from making occasional appearances at high-profile events such as the premieres for 2018's "The Mule" and "The 15:17 to Paris." The duo made their red-carpet debut at the 2015 Academy Awards, where the Eastwood-directed "American Sniper" received six nominations.

In June 2014, Us Weekly reported that Eastwood was romantically involved with Sandera, who'd reportedly been an employee at the Eastwood-owned Mission Ranch hotel and restaurant in Carmel, California. Six months later, Eastwood finalized his divorce from his second wife, ex-TV reporter Dina Eastwood, after a 17-year marriage.

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

News of Sandera's death comes a month after Eastwood's youngest daughter, 27-year-old Morgan, announced her marriage to Tanner Koopmans. Her father walked her down the aisle during the ceremony, which took place at Mission Ranch, according to People magazine.