Christina Sandera, the long-time partner of renowned actor Clint Eastwood, passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 61 on July 18, as confirmed by a representative from the Monterey County Health Department. The death certificate identified cardiac arrhythmia, an irregularity in the rhythm or timing of the heartbeat, as the immediate cause of her death. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease was also mentioned as a contributing factor to her demise.
Sandera, who was known for her philanthropic work, had been in a relationship with Eastwood for nearly a decade. The couple first met when Sandera was working as a hostess at Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Despite their high-profile status, they managed to keep their relationship largely private.
Eastwood, 94, expressed his grief over Sandera’s passing in a statement, describing her as a “lovely, caring woman” whom he will greatly miss. The couple had been together since 2014, shortly after Eastwood’s second divorce.
Throughout their relationship, Sandera accompanied Eastwood to a select number of events, including the 2015 Academy Awards where Eastwood’s film “American Sniper” was nominated for six Oscars. She also joined him at the premieres of “Sully” in 2016, “The Mule” in 2018, and “The 15:17 to Paris” in the same year. Their last public appearance together was at the AFI Fest in Hollywood in November 2019.
Although Sandera was not involved in the entertainment industry, she was a constant supportive presence at Eastwood’s film premieres. The couple never married, but Sandera was considered part of Eastwood’s family by his eight children.
Morgan Eastwood, the actor’s youngest daughter, paid tribute to Sandera on social media, thanking her for being a good partner to her father and expressing the family’s grief over her sudden passing. Morgan, who is currently expecting her first child, had recently celebrated her wedding at Eastwood’s coastal ranch in Monterey County, the same location as the restaurant where Eastwood and Sandera first met.