Sean Penn says Charlize Theron is the "love of my life".

Sean Penn and Charlize Theron

Sean Penn and Charlize Theron

The 'Gangster Squad' star is currently romancing the 39-year-old actress but was quick to correct a journalist who referred to the South African beauty as his "girlfriend".

He told French newspaper Le Parisien: "No, no, excuse me, Charlize is not my girlfriend. She's the love of my life...

"We have a very strong relationship. [We] have known each other for a very long time. But we weren't together."

Meanwhile, the 54-year-old actor previously admitted he would consider tying the knot with Charlize as his "first marriage", despite having been married twice already - to Madonna for four years and Robin Wright for 14 years.

He said: "You say I've been married twice before but I've been married under circumstances where I was less informed than I am today, so I wouldn't even consider a third marriage, I'd consider it a first marriage on its own terms if I got married again. I mean, I like the tradition."

Sean also admitted he was "surprised" that he was in love again.

He added: "I'm surprised to be in love. Lots of reasons. 53 years old [when we got together] plus finally beginning to figure out why you haven't been happy in a single relationship? It could seem too late.

"To run into somebody now who you care about is a much passionate, deeper, truer and - God! - a much happier feeling. It's a lot more romantic and a lot more fulfilling to be in a relationship and to think you're a good person within it."

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