MONTEREY PARK, CA – Christina Sandera, the long-standing companion of acclaimed actor Clint Eastwood, succumbed to a heart attack at 61 years old on July 18. This was confirmed by a spokesperson from the Monterey County Health Department. The cause of death was identified as cardiac arrhythmia, an abnormality in the rhythm or pace of the heartbeat, on her death certificate. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease was also cited as a contributing factor to her death.
Sandera, known for her charitable endeavors, had been romantically involved with Eastwood for nearly ten years. Their paths first crossed when Sandera was employed as a hostess at Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Despite their celebrity status, they maintained a largely private relationship.
Eastwood, 94, mourned Sandera’s death in a statement, characterizing her as a “lovely, caring woman” whose absence he will deeply feel. The pair had been together since 2014, following Eastwood’s second divorce.
Throughout their relationship, Sandera accompanied Eastwood to a handful of events, including the 2015 Academy Awards where Eastwood’s film “American Sniper” was nominated for six Oscars. She was also present at the premieres of “Sully” in 2016, “The Mule” in 2018, and “The 15:17 to Paris” in the same year. Their last public outing together was at the AFI Fest in Hollywood in November 2019.
Although Sandera was not part of the entertainment industry, she was a consistent supportive figure at Eastwood’s film premieres. The couple never tied the knot, but Sandera was regarded as a member of Eastwood’s family by his eight children.
Morgan Eastwood, the actor’s youngest daughter, paid homage to Sandera on social media, expressing gratitude for her being a good companion to her father and conveying the family’s sorrow over her unexpected death. Morgan, who is currently pregnant with her first child, recently celebrated her wedding at Eastwood’s coastal ranch in Monterey County, the same location as the restaurant where Eastwood and Sandera first met.