Clint Eastwood’s longtime partner Christina Sandera has died aged 61

The pair met in 2014.

Her death was announced by Eastwood in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter, which read: "Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much."

Eastwood and Sandera reportedly first crossed paths while she was working as a hostess at a property Eastwood owns, the Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in 2014.

The pair kept their relationship private, and Sandera only appeared publicly with Eastwood at awards ceremonies and red carpet events.

She accompanied the 94-year-old to the 2015 Academy Awards when American Sniper was up for six Oscars including best picture and on the red carpet for Sully (2016), The Mule (2018), The 15:17 to Paris (2018) and Richard Jewell (2019).

Sandera was not part of the entertainment industry but showed why she was Eastwood’s leading lady, beaming with pride as she walked arm in arm with the legendary director at public events.

Prior to their relationship, Eastwood had been married twice; to model Maggie Johnson from 1953 to 1987 and to news anchor Dina Ruiz from 1996 to 2004.

He's also had several high-profile relationships outside of his two marriages, including long-term romances with Titanic actress Frances Fisher and his The Gauntlet costar Sondra Locke. With his past partners, he's welcomed eight children, including actor Scott Eastwood.

Sandera seemingly had a good relationship with Eastwood's kids. In 2018, she joined Eastwood and his entire family — including three of his kids, his granddaughter and Eastwood's first wife — at the premiere of his film The Mule.

Eastwood and Sandera were last pictured together in public in 2019.