Clint Eastwood has announced the passing of his longtime partner, Christina Sandera. She was 61.

“Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much,” the 94-year-old actor said in a heartfelt release on July 19. Sandera had been Eastwood’s companion for nearly a decade, with their relationship beginning in 2014. Despite Eastwood’s fame, they maintained a low-profile relationship, embodying a quiet, steadfast partnership rarely seen in Hollywood.

A representative from Warner Bros., where Eastwood directed many films, told The Hollywood Reporter, “No further information will be forthcoming.” The news has shocked fans and friends, who admired the couple’s discretion and genuine connection. Tributes are pouring in for Sandera, reflecting the industry’s mourning for the beloved partner of one of cinema’s greatest icons.