Clint Eastwood’s long and storied life in the spotlight has meant that much of it has been public knowledge.

As a Hollywood titan and legendary filmmaker, Eastwood has lived a life that feels as though it’s been endlessly documented.

Now at 92 years old, the iconic actor and director has seen and done it all, both on screen and off. From classic Westerns to gritty dramas, Clint Eastwood’s career has spanned almost 70 years, placing him firmly in the public eye—and no stranger to controversy and scandal.

Yet one of the most surprising events in Eastwood’s life is something that even he didn’t know for most of his years. The revelation was so unexpected that it would end up changing his life in a major way.

Known for his rugged good looks, towering 6’4″ stature, and piercing gaze, Eastwood’s allure won him admiration from many over the years. With eight children, Clint is a father many times over, yet for most of his life, he believed he was the father of only seven. The mystery of his eighth child came to light in the most unexpected way, revealing a part of his past he hadn’t known existed.