Charlize Theron is the love of Sean Penn's life, actor says

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Sean Penn doesn't want people thinking of Charlize Theron as his girlfriend.

While speaking to France's Le Parisien, the actor was asked about his relationship with the South African star, but he was quick to interrupt his interviewer and set the record straight about his relationship with her.

"No, no, excuse me, Charlize is not my girlfriend," Penn, 54, said. "She's the love of my life."

"We have a very strong relationship," Penn told the publication, adding they "have known each other for a very long time. But we weren't together."

The Ganster Squad actor and Theron, 39, where first seen together in January 2014 and made their first public appearance as a couple later that month. Penn, who has been married twice before, told reporters in January that if he were to marry the actress he would consider the union, his first marriage.

Penn and Theron and currently working together on the upcoming drama The Last Face.