6 reasons we hope Charlize Theron and Sean Penn haven't split

Unapologetically passionate about each other since getting together in 2013, they appeared to have a rock-solid relationship.

But now, according to reports from the US, they are a couple no more – and our hearts are breaking.

Here’s why we hope the rumours aren’t true:

It really seemed like Sean had found happiness

In March, the 54-year-old actor told Esquire that his relationship with Charlize was unlike either of his previous marriages, to Madonna and to Robin Wright. He explained: “I wouldn’t even consider it a third marriage, I’d consider it a first marriage on its own terms if I got married again.”

According to Sean, it’s not a bad thing to figure out true love later in life: “To run into somebody now who you care about is a much more passionate, deeper, truer and – God! – a much happier feeling.”

And Charlize seemed to be pretty in love too

Following on from boyfriend Penn as an Esquire cover star, Theron told the magazine in April: “I’m a very, very, very lucky girl. Very lucky. He’s hot.”

And just recently, in the June issue of Elle UK, the 39-year-old seemed just as loved-up: “Putting aside that he’s my partner, he’s the love of my life.”

Their previous friendship seemed to give them a solid foundation

Charlize and Penn were friends before they were lovers. The fact that friendship predated the romantic relationship gave it “weight” and a “foundation”, according to Charlize.

She added: “Just when you think you know how things are supposed to go down, life just kicks you in the ass and guess what? You don’t have a clue.”

It’s just how things happen in the movies: two friends grow together until they suddenly realise they’re in love.

Sean was really good with Charlize’s kid

In January, Page Six reported that Sean had filed papers to adopt Charlize’s three-year-old son, Jackson.

Over the past two years they have often been pictured having fun together as a little family of three.

Sean and Charlize both have a charitable streak

Penn does a lot of humanitarian work, which, says Charlize, is a very attractive quality in a man.

“A lot of people want to tell you the answer to solving all of Africa’s problems from what they’ve seen on CNN. Sean is not that guy. When he started working in Haiti and I started working on the Aids front in South Africa, we spent a lot of time talking about those worlds,” she explained.

Charlize herself founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Programme, and campaigns for animal rights.

Truly, we thought, a very compatible couple.

Their relationship gave hope to shorter men everywhere 

Sean is a little on the shorter side at 5’7″, and we loved to see him on the red carpet next to Charlize at 5’8″ plus heels. It never seemed to bother them…