Sean Penn was recently spotted enjoying a low-key outing in Santa Monica — but he wasn’t alone. The 65-year-old actor appeared in public with his girlfriend, 30-year-old actress Valeria Nikov, and the couple made no effort to hide their closeness.
Penn and Nikov were photographed walking side by side, holding hands and looking completely at ease. The stroll felt relaxed and unguarded, offering another rare glimpse into the actor’s private life, which has drawn growing attention over the past year.
Rumors about their relationship first surfaced in the summer of 2024, and since then, the two have been seen together on multiple occasions. In 2025, they attended the Cannes Film Festival as a couple, marking a significant step into the public eye. That same year, Penn was also spotted in Paris at a theater performance by Renata Litvinova, where Nikov appeared in one of the roles — further fueling interest in their connection.
Valeria Nikov was born and raised in Chișinău before relocating to Paris, where she began working as a model. Over the years, she collaborated with renowned designer Carolina Herrera as well as brands such as Dada Sport, La Galpa, and Bonanza. Her acting career began in 2018 with a role in the French comedy Paris Pigalle, followed by a small appearance in the hit series Emily in Paris.
The relationship comes two years after Penn finalized his divorce from his third wife, actress Leila George. The pair were married from 2020 to 2022. Penn’s romantic history has long been a subject of fascination, matching his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most intense and controversial figures.
Previously, he was married to Madonna from 1985 to 1989, and later to Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010, with whom he shares an adult son and daughter. Over the years, he has also been linked to high-profile figures including Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon. After his split from George, Penn was briefly associated with Ukrainian actress Olga Korotyaeva and Australian actress Natalie Kelley.
Now, with Valeria Nikov by his side, Penn appears calm and settled, at least for the moment. Whether this relationship will remain quietly steady or continue to draw headlines remains to be seen — but their latest appearance made one thing clear: they’re not hiding.
