Clint Eastwood rose to indelible fame in the 60s after appearing in “Dollars Trilogy” as the man with no name. Since then, he has acted and directed numerous other films, and despite his advanced age, he still has not hung his acting coat.
While the “Changeling” actor is famous for his decades-long work in the industry, he is also known for his numerous public romances. In his tenure, the actor has been with many women, with all his romantic ventures ending up in breakups.
He has had many serious and casual relationships, which have varied in intensity and length with some overlapping. But who are these women who fell for his charms?
Eastwood first dated model Maggie Johnson in 1953. Unfortunately, despite their marriage lasting thirty years, they divorced in 1984. Nevertheless, their marriage was not all roses.
In between their thirty-year union, Eastwood had many other flings and forbidden romances with the likes of stuntwoman Roxanne Tunis between 1959 and 1973.
After ending his affair with Tunis, he met model Sondra Locke, and the two began living together in 1975. Nine years into their cohabiting situation, Eastwood officially divorced Maggie Johnson. However, during his relationship with Locke, he also dated flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves.
In the early to mid-1990s, Eastwood had a relationship with actress Frances Fisher. In 1996, the “Unforgiven” actor married his second wife, Dina Ruiz. Of all his relationships and marriages, Eastwood thought Ruiz was the woman who would truly make him settle down for good. He told The Independent, as ABC News reports:
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the woman I like monogamy with.”
Sadly, the couple split up in 2013 after 17 years of marriage. However, Eastwood would meet hotel restaurant hostess Christina Sandera a year later, and the two have been together since.
Meet the Girlfriend He Loves but Will Not Marry
After his numerous failed relationships, Eastwood was lucky to find love again with Christina Sandera, 33 years his junior. For the first time, Eastwood chose to date someone that did not share his fame and constant spotlight.
Eastwood and the vivacious blonde met at Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Hotel, where Sandera worked as a hostess. They fell in love shortly after meeting in 2014 and have been together since.
While she was once involved in a messy divorce with her ex-husband, one that included domestic violence claims, there hasn’t been much drama in her life since she started dating Eastwood. The lovebirds are just over nine years of dating, and Sandera has won over the Eastwood children’s hearts. An insider told Closer Weekly:
“He’s truly happy with her. She’s fun and easygoing, and his kids like her, too. She’s on an even keel like he is.”
However, despite the mutual love and respect they share, Eastwood has openly declared that he won’t be officially marrying Sandera because, as a source would disclose, “Clint doesn’t see any point in marrying again. He loves Christina, but marriage isn’t something he needs.”
Where Does Eastwood Call Home?
Unlike many Hollywood stars who choose to make Los Angeles their home, the “Cry Macho” star decided to live “out there when he’s got all those acres.” He made the Mission Ranch, Carmel, his home and lives there with his girlfriend.
The ranch, built in early 1850, was almost falling apart when Eastwood purchased it. He has since done numerous renovations on the property, boasting thirty-one luxurious guest rooms, a renovated restaurant and bar, and the most scenic views in California. It also has a workout room and a tennis court.
But the ranch is not just someplace the actor found and purchased. When he was 21, and a recruit at the nearby Fort Ord, he was looking to grab a quick, cheap meal and a soda when he came across the ranch. However, it was not the breathtaking place it is today.
Before becoming a lowkey restaurant and hotel, it was a dairy farm and the Fort Ord officers’ club. And when he saw the place, he thought he’d like to make it his home. He recalled: “The first time I saw the place, I thought it was terrific. Visually it was something else, and I thought it was the place I’d like to call home. So I kind of adopted Carmel.”
After becoming a big movie star, he returned, bought the ranch, and began renovating the property, making it a home for himself and those who wished to take several days off their busy schedules to enjoy the scenery. It is also crucial to note that Eastwood was once the Carmel town mayor.
In the 80s, Eastwood wanted to renovate a different property he owned, but the city council denied him permission. Realizing that many other residents had the same problem, he took the City Council to court and won. A year down the line, he ran for mayor, winning by a landslide.
The ranch holds numerous memories for Eastwood. It was where he directed his first movie and fell in love with the place. In 1980, the property was about to be torn down to pave the way for another irksome condominium development. Luckily, Eastwood swooped in, and, after parting with $5 million, he became the new owner. He shared:
“I had always loved the place, and they were just going to flatten it. They said it was obsolete. I thought it should be preserved as what it was.”
He has since done numerous renovations and developments around the ranch, putting up a “seedy refuge for traveling salesmen and illicit couples.”
The ranch features lush wetlands, a dramatic view of the sea, the beach’s gleaming curve, and the rocky Monterey coastline. There are also assorted farm animals on the ranch, including sheep, goats, and horses.
As one drives into the property, one can see old buildings that have been redone to become hotel structures surrounded by beautifully tended flowers, with cypress and eucalyptus trees shading the area.
The restaurant is a vast, bustling place with an active bar. A night at one of the ranch’s guest houses dawns into beautiful views of the Carmel River and a sandy beach.
Although the “Mystic River” actor is famous and a familiar figure, not only at the ranch but also in Carmel town, he prefers a more reclusive and private life. He describes himself by saying:
“I’m not the jolly host type.”
Those that know him in person say he is often eager to heap praises on others while he happily downplays his numerous achievements.
Eastwood Is Not Slowing Down
Eastwood hit the 93-year mark in May 2023 but is not slowing down. He directed and acted in his latest film, the 2021 “Cry Macho,” and reflected on his age and legacy, saying:
“I don’t look like I did at 20, so what? That just means there are more interesting guys you can play.”
In 2019, when appearing on “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” Eastwood recalled how as a kid, he would hang out with his 90-year-old grandfather and often wondered to himself who would want to live that long. Ellen hilariously replied, amid a burst of laughter from the crowd:
“Turns out you do!”
The nonagenarian, despite his age, is still working. He told Ellen that even as a looming fire consumed the hill near his office and everyone else had been evacuated, he still went in and continued working, never once intending to stop.
Clint Eastwood’s Life Now
Despite his age, Eastwood has not stopped working. He has been captured severally on the set of a movie he is currently working on.
He has been spotted filming in downtown Savannah, and during this time, many fans have run into the legendary actor and shared wonderful stories about their encounters.
The actor has met many of his fans on his off days, enjoying a meal and the local restaurants. One that he filmed and eventually ate at with his crew was La Scala, and the manager, Elena Hugley, was ecstatic to see him walk in.
Hugley described her pleasant encounter with him and said, “He was just very quiet, very sweet, very humble. Every once in a while, he would throw out a funny joke that no one expected, which was hilarious.”
The photo that Hugley shared with Eastwood warmed a lot of fan’s hearts. “Priceless photo,” gushed a commenter, and another one praised him for being a “living legend” and one of the “all-time greatest” actors.
Eastwood has reportedly been working on the film “Juror #2,” which follows a high-profile murder. According to one of the people who helped cast a few extras for the film, Bill Marinella, this was not the first time the actor visited Savannah.
He was also there while directing “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and having him back there in his element has been exciting and overwhelming for many of his fans.
Although fans have loved seeing Eastwood back in action, they have also been worried that the actor looked “frail with old age” but still hoped he lived till he was a hundred.
Others also worried about “The Mule” star’s health, and whether it still allowed him to work at this rate. Fans of Eastwood would also love for someone to invent technology to reverse his age so the world does not lose the legend.
Another commenter added, “Clint looks so thin and haggard these days, but for 93, he’s still going strong,” while others thought he had lost weight. “So sad,” reiterated another fan. Despite fans’ concerns, Eastwood continues making magic on screen.
