Sean Penn Called ‘Grandpa’ & ‘Pathetic’ After Making ‘Unsettling’ Debut With Girlfriend 34 Years His Junior

Jan 08, 2025

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Sean Penn’s love life is back in the spotlight, this time with his 30-year-old girlfriend Valeria Nicov. The pair made their couple debut at a film festival in Marrakesh in November 2024, and immediately sparked public interest, mainly due to their 34-year age gap. But hey, age is just a number, right? 

In June 2024, Sean Penn, 64, shared his approach to love and relationships during an interview with The New York Times. He stated: “I’m just free,” adding, “If I’m going to be in a relationship, I’m still going to be free, or I’m not going to be in it, and I’m not going to be hurting.” 

He continued: “I don’t sense I’ll have my heart broken by romance again.” Famous last words, Sean, but we’ll see how that goes. 

So, who is Penn’s girlfriend? Nicov is a Moldovan actress and model who has steadily made her mark in Hollywood since 2018. 

Standing at 5’10”, she boasts a runway-ready look and has appeared in numerous shows like “Don’t Worry About the Kids” and “Mike.” Nicov even had a brief role as a bartender in “Emily in Paris.” 

The pair were first seen together in public in September 2024 when they were spotted locking lips while strolling through Madrid. 

Despite his long struggle with smoking, Penn was seen with a toothpick in his mouth, a reminder that quitting smoking is more complicated than it looks. His previous attempt to quit on his 40th birthday was, as he put it, “a disaster.”

In October 2024, they were seen at LAX, sharing another kiss before heading to Paris, where they were photographed on the city’s iconic streets. 

Nicov, fluent in seven languages, is also a model and blogger with 19,000 Instagram followers. She has a serious passion for boxing, yoga, and tango. If that’s not impressive enough, she also sings jazz, plays piano, and rides horses. 

While the couple seems to be enjoying their time together, the age gap has become a topic of conversation — especially after their public appearance at the Marrakech International Film Festival.

On Nov. 30, 2024, Penn and Nicov made their red carpet debut and turned heads with their stylish and impeccable appearance. 

Penn, ever the classic gentleman, looked dashing in a sharp suit and tie, while Nicov stole the spotlight in a stunning strapless black dress that accentuated her striking figure. 

The duo radiated elegance and sophistication as they arrived at the prestigious film festival — though, as expected, not everyone was quite as dazzled. 

People quickly voiced their disapproval of the couple’s significant age gap, sparking mixed reactions across social media. One netizen slammed the couple by saying:

“Actually they look ridiculous.”

Another added: “How Pathetic - just saying.”

“Out with Granddad,” a commenter joked.

Another one echoed the same sentiment:

“Looks like she is with her grandpa 😁.”

And someone teased: “True love is always a few millions dollars away ❤️🌹.”

Others labeled the romance “unsettling,” saying:

“Sleeping with someone who wasn’t born yet when you were 33 is just… unsettling.”

Another remarked: “He’s taking everything on the planet to keep up with that, look at him!!!!”

On a different note, one user on Facebook wrote:

“I hope they do very well together.” And others offered similar words of support: “I could care less about the ages. They’re both over 18 and that’s really all that matters.” 

Another defended Penn, saying:

“Leave him alone. A 30-year-old is a grown woman. At least he’s not dating teenagers or 23 yr olds.” 

Penn’s relationship with Nicov is his first since his divorce from actress Leila George. The ex-couple was married for two years before parting ways in April 2022.

As Sean Penn faces backlash over his 34-year age gap with 30-year-old Valeria Nicov, do you think such age gaps are acceptable if both are consenting adults? Let us know, and then pass this along to others with strong opinions and let us know your thoughts!