By Selena Hill (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Sep 04, 2013 05:20 PM EDT

Although Clint Eastwood has yet to speak out about his separation from his wife of 17 years, Dina Eastwood has expressed exactly how she feels about the Hollywood actor less than two weeks after confirming their split.

After confirming exclusively to Us Weekly that she and her husband had separated, the former TV news reporter, 48, defended the Oscar-winning actor and director, 83, on Monday, Sept. 2 via Twitter.

"I don't like reading negative things about Clint," she tweeted. "He is a wonderful, good natured, brilliant person. No matter what, I attest to that."

Furthermore, Dina told Us Weekly that she and the "Dirty Harry" actor are still close despite the fact that they've been living separately for some time. An inside source also told Us that the couple split more than a year ago, in June 2012. "Clint fell out of love with Dina a long time ago," the insider shared, noting that the separation was "amicable."

Dina and Clint Eastwood were married in March 1996 and have one daughter, 16-year-old Morgan. The "Trouble With the Curve" star is also dad to seven other kids, including two with first wife Maggie Johnson, and a daughter, Francesca, with Titanic actress Frances Fisher. Francesca, Morgan, and Dina appeared together on the E! reality series Mrs. Eastwood & Company, which ran for one season in 2012.

In addition to defending her ex, Dina also expressed optimism toward what her future may bring. She tweeted, "Darkness somewhere means light somewhere else. #newbeginnings."

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