Hollywood icon Mel Gibson has sparked intense global romance rumors after being photographed sharing a passionate public display of affection with Italian actress and model Antonella Salvucci in Rome.
The 70-year-old Oscar winner and the 44-year-old local television personality were spotted looking highly affectionate during a late-night excursion through the streets of the historic Italian capital.
The high-profile outing began with an intimate seafood dinner at Micalusi Real Fish, a premier dining destination in Rome.
Gibson opted for a casual aesthetic, wearing a white button-down shirt, denim jeans, and a baseball cap. Salvucci complemented the evening with a form-fitting leather jumpsuit.
Following dinner, the pair embarked on a scenic tour of Rome’s historic landmarks, including:
- The Zodiac: A famous panoramic viewpoint atop Monte Mario, known locally among couples as “lovers’ driveway”.
- The Fontanone: The iconic monumental fountain on Gianicolo Hill, where paparazzi captured the two sharing multiple passionate kisses.
Salvucci, who maintains a significant digital presence on Instagram, is well-known in Italy as a multi-hyphenate talent, working across acting, modeling, and television journalism.
Gibson has been spending extended time in Italy to film his highly anticipated directorial project, The Resurrection of the Christ, the long-awaited sequel to The Passion of the Christ.
This public outing marks Gibson’s first major romantic connection since his high-profile split from screenwriter Rosalind Ross, 35.
The former couple officially separated in December after a nine-year relationship. They continue to co-parent their 9-year-old son, Lars.
Gibson is a father to nine children from three different relationships. He shares seven adult children—Hannah, Christian, Edward, William, Louis, Milo, and Thomas—with his former wife of 29 years, Robyn Moore.
He also shares a 16-year-old daughter, Lucia, with Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva.
Despite the highly publicized photos, industry sources offer conflicting reports regarding the exact nature of the relationship. Reports published by TMZ indicate that the Lethal Weapon star remains single.
Insiders claimed that the passionate embrace was merely a warm, Italian-style “goodbye” to a close friend as Gibson finalized his production duties and prepared to return to the United States. Representatives for Gibson have not yet released an official statement regarding the romance rumors.