Sean Penn, 65, Steps Out Hand-in-Hand with 30-Year-Old Girlfriend After Golden Globes

Sean Penn, 65, was spotted enjoying a rare public outing with his 30-year-old girlfriend, Valeria Nicov, in Santa Monica, California, following the 2026 Golden Globes, according to photos shared by People.

The couple went out for a casual shopping trip on Wednesday, holding hands as they walked together. Nicov appeared cheerful while talking with Penn, who was seen smoking during the outing. Penn wore a white button-up shirt, a blue blazer, and black pants. Nicov dressed in all black, pairing a sweater, slacks, and coat with sunglasses and a shoulder purse.

This outing comes shortly after Penn attended the Golden Globes, where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 film, “One Battle After Another.”

sean penn photographed with his girlfriend valeria nicov recently pic.twitter.com/QGfLTosKkt

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He was seen lighting cigarettes at the ceremony, sitting next to Leonardo DiCaprio. Other photos showed several cigarettes submerged in a glass at his table. The award was ultimately won by Stellan Skarsgård, while other nominees included Benicio del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Adam Sandler, and Paul Mescal.

Penn did not attend the ceremony with Nicov. Over the years, Penn has had a well-documented personal life. He was briefly married to Madonna in the 1980s and then to Robin Wright, with whom he has two children, Dylan and Hopper. His later relationships included South African actress Charlize Theron and Australian actress Leila George, whom he married in 2020 before divorcing in 2022. In 2023, he began dating Ukrainian Olga Korotyayeva.

While Penn has often kept his relationships private, his time with Nicov marks one of the few public appearances together.

It’s clear Sean Penn continues to attract attention for both his career and personal life. What do you think about Penn stepping out publicly with Valeria Nicov? Share your thoughts in the comments.