Sean Penn, 64, Steps Out with New Girlfriend Valeria Nicov, 30

Sean Penn is back in the headlines—this time not for a film, but for his love life. The 64-year-old Oscar-winning actor has gone public with his new girlfriend, 30-year-old Valeria Nicov, a Moldovan actress and model.

Who Is Valeria Nicov?

Valeria Nicov hails from Moldova and began her entertainment career in 2018. She’s appeared in shows like Don’t Worry About the Kids, Mike, and had a cameo as a bartender in Emily in Paris.
Standing tall at 5’10” (1.77m), she splits her time between Paris and the runway, and also dabbles in film and blogging.

Multilingual and Multi-Talented

Valeria speaks seven languages—French, English, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Italian. A graduate of the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Chisinau, she also trained at Paris’s Cours Florent.
Her modeling credits include work with designer Carolina Herrera, and she actively shares her fashion shoots with 19,000 Instagram followers.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

Nicov leads a vibrant life. She enjoys boxing, yoga, and tango, sings jazz, plays piano, and even rides horses. Her love of art and literature often shows through her social media posts.

A Romance in the Spotlight

Penn and Nicov were first spotted in September 2024 sharing a kiss in Madrid. Despite previously saying he wasn’t looking for love, the actor now seems fully smitten. The couple shared another passionate kiss in October at LAX before jetting off to Paris.
By November, they made their red carpet debut at the Marrakech International Film Festival. He wore a classic suit; she stunned in a strapless black dress. Together, they exuded elegance—but also drew criticism.

Facing Public Backlash

The couple’s 34-year age gap hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some critics online called the relationship “creepy” and “disgusting,” questioning the power dynamics involved.
One comment read, “Sleeping with someone who wasn’t born when you were 33 is just… unsettling.”

However, others defended the couple. “They’re both adults. Who cares about age?” one user said. Another added, “At least he’s not dating a teenager.”

Life After Leila George

This marks Penn’s first public relationship since divorcing Australian-American actress Leila George. The couple wed during the pandemic in 2020 and split two years later. Before George, Penn was married to Robin Wright (1996–2010) and famously linked to Madonna in the 1980s.

A Career That Spans Decades

Sean Penn made his acting debut in Taps (1981). Over the years, he’s won two Academy Awards—for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008)—and built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most intense actors.

Final Thoughts

Penn’s relationship with Valeria Nicov has certainly sparked debate. Some celebrate their connection; others raise eyebrows at the age difference.
Still, love doesn’t always follow the rules—and this couple seems to be making their own.