Clint Eastwood speaks out and confirms longtime partner has died aged 61

Clint Eastwood has shared an emotional message confirming his longtime partner Christina Sandera's death.

The 61-year-old's passing comes 10 years on from when their relationship began, in 2014.

Sandera was a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small town in California with just over 3,000 residents where Eastwood served as mayor for two years - following his election in April 1986.

Clint Eastwood and Christina Sandera pictured at the Oscars in 2015. (Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

While the pair did not meet during his time in office, he helped in the construction of a library annex, along with installing public restrooms, beach walkways, and a parking lot for tourists.

No, the couple are believed to have met while Sandera was working as a host at the town's Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant.

Incidentally, Eastwood owned the estate after rescuing it from developers, refurbishing the building to allow for a unique resort experience.

Sandera and her 94-year-old boyfriend held a relatively low-profile, although she attended a number of red carpet events.

Clint Eastwood and Christina Sandera attend Warner Bros. Pictures World Premiere of 'The Mule' at Regency Village Theatre on December 10, 2018 in Westwood, California. (David Livingston/Getty Images)

One of those was the 2015 Oscars, where Eastwood was nominated for six awards for his role in directing the blockbuster movie, American Sniper.

While the cause of her death has not been announced, Eastwood released a statement on Thursday night, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

His statement read: “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much."

Meanwhile a Warner Bros. spokesperson told the publication that there would be no more information released about her death.

As well as the Academy Awards, she was by her Eastwood's side for numerous premieres including Sully in 2016, which he directed, and again two years later for The Mule - which the award-winning actor starred in and directed.

Eastwood and Sandera at the Eastwood Ranch Foundations hosting its 1st annual Fall Garden Party Animal Rescue Fundraiser in 2015. (JB Lacroix/Getty Images)

Sandera was also seen amongst the stars at the premiere of The 15:17 to Paris in the same year, which Eastwood directed, and Richard Jewell in 2019 - which again, he directed.

Although the couple never had children together, Eastwood has eight children from six different women that he was once in a relationship with.

He has two sons, Kyle and Scott, and four daughters, Alison, Francesca, Kimber, Laurie and Morgan.

Eastwood was married twice before getting in a relationship with Sandera. In 1953, he married model Maggie Johnson before splitting in 1964 and divorcing her 20 years later.

And again in 1996, marrying TV news anchor, Dina Ruiz, before divorcing her in 2014.

Eastwood is currently filming his 40th film as a director through Juror No. 2 - which is currently in postproduction.