Christina Sandera, Clint Eastwood's longtime girlfriend, has died of a heart attack, the Monterey County Health Department has confirmed.
The immediate cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, a disorder in which, according to the Mayo Clinic, the heart's electrical impulses malfunction and cause an abnormal heartbeat. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease was listed as an additional condition that led to his death, according to a Tuesday report in the New York Post.
Eastwood announced Sandera's death in a statement on Thursday, though the cause of death was not specified at the time. He was 61 when he died on July 18.
Sandera served on the board of directors of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, where she served as lead developer and manager of a world-class equestrian center in Carmel Valley.
“Their commitment to land and sea animals was truly inspiring,” the organization said in a statement. statement on Instagram. Sandera and Eastwood hosted her annual Sea Stars Gala; the statement said she “eschewed the spotlight,” despite being related to the high-profile Oscar winner.
“She was a person who always rolled up her sleeves, was always attentive and deeply involved in her passions,” said the director of the foundation’s chapter.
Eastwood, 94, and Sandera dated for a decade and kept their relationship largely private. reportedly They met at Eastwood's Mission Ranch hotel and restaurant, where Sandera worked as a hostess. The two lived together in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small coastal town on the Monterey Peninsula where the actor was mayor.
The animal rights activist accompanied the “Unforgiven” actor on multiple red carpets, including at the 2015 Academy Awards, their public debut as a couple. Eastwood directed and co-produced “American Sniper,” which was nominated for six awards that year.
“Christina was a lovely and caring woman, and I will miss her very much,” Eastwood said in his statement Thursday.
His youngest daughter, Morgan Eastwood, also posted a tribute.
“A devastating loss for our entire family,” she said on her Instagram story. “Thank you Christina for being a good companion to my dad, you will be missed.”
