Who Was Clint Eastwood’s Late-Girlfriend, Christina Sandera?

Clint Eastwood’s girlfriend Christina Sandera tragically passed away at age 61. The actor, 94, announced Sandera’s death in a statement in a local Californian newspaper on July 18, according to People. “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much,” the Oscar-winner wrote.

Clintwood and Sandera started dating in 2014 and have had a largely private relationship in comparison to Clintwood’s past romances with stars like Frances Fisher and Sondra Locke. The actor, who has been married twice — to model Maggie Johnson from 1953 to 1987 and to news anchor Dina Ruiz from 1996 to 2004 — has eight children.

Beyond her years-long relationship with Eastwood, not much was known about Sandera — unlike many other Hollywood stars, he opted to date someone who didn’t share his fame and constant spotlight. So, what do we know about Eastwood’s love? After a rocky first marriage and some self-improvement, it was love at first sight with Eastwood, and a whirlwind romance followed. Here’s everything you’ll want to know about the late-Sandera.

They met when Sandera worked as a hostess at Eastwood’s hotel

One of Clint Eastwood’s many properties is the Mission Ranch Hotel, where Sandera was working as a hostess in 2014. The duo met there, and quickly fell head over heels in love with each other.

The actor bought the hotel in 1986 before it underwent an expensive renovation to become the luxurious resort it is today. Eastwood is said to frequent the hotel but doesn’t interact with guests too much. “I’m not the jolly host type,” he told Architectural Digest in 2016.

She & Eastwood made their couples debut at the 2015 Oscars

A few short months after their romance began, this couple was turning heads on the red carpet. Eastwood debuted his new girlfriend at the 2015 Oscars, where his movie American Sniper was nominated, and they were the talk of the town.

They lived in Eastwood’s family home in Carmel

While Eastwood’s last marriage to ex Dina ended in a contentious divorce, the actor stayed put in the family’s Carmel home. Dina moved out, and Christina moved in a few years later.

Before you go, click here to see celebrity couples who never felt the need to get married.