Denzel Washington Discloses How His 4-Decade Marriage Remains Successful

Feb 18, 2022 by apost team

Finding long-lasting love in Hollywood is often a challenge. While many of our favorite actors and actresses often go through multiple marriages and divorces, not everyone in showbiz follows this norm. In fact, those such as Denzel Washington have found ways to make their marriages successful despite Hollywood pressures. 

Denzel Washington has had great success throughout his lifetime. He is an award-winning actor and has dabbled in the field of directing. His career has not only garnered him praise from peers, critics, and fans alike but has led him to his happy-ever-after with wife Pauletta Washington. A talented entertainer herself, Pauletta and Denzel make quite the celebrity couple.

Pauletta Washington was born on Sept. 28, 1950, in North Carolina. According to IMDB, she was born with the surname Pearson. Pauletta is a libra who is turning 71-years-old later in 2021. She is five years older than her husband. Pauletta is very tall, standing at 6 ft and 1 inch. She attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as the prestigious Juilliard School.

Pauletta has completely immersed herself in the acting world by not only working as an actress herself but by marrying an actor and being the sister of actress Rita Pearson.

She made her acting debut in "Wilma" in 1977, starring alongside now-husband Denzel. She went on to work on more TV movies and series throughout her career, including "The Parkers" and "The Watsons Go to Birmingham." She also landed roles on the silver screen starting in 1998 with "Beloved." Her more recent works showcase her talent in a more limited space, with the actress starring in multiple short features.

Read on to learn more about the key to success for Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson's four-decade marriage.

Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington (1986), (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images)

According to The Oprah Magazine, the love birds Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson met in 1977 as they both took part in the making of a television show called 'Wilma.' Their acquaintance quickly turned into a strong friendship, something they both attribute to the longevity of their relationship. They were friends before they fell in love!

Denzel and Pauletta tied the knot on 25th June 1983, and since then they have lived in marriage and honored the vows they made to each other. On a trip to South Africa in 1995, they had the chance to renew their vows, and the well-known Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiated the renewal. Denzel once commented in one interview a while back:

"I don't know if it's show business that has a monopoly on divorce, it's just that you hear about it." He proceeded with, "I just think that you have to work at it. Not give up on each other. It's a commitment. It's not all the honeymoon, it doesn't last forever, so you work at it. And hopefully, you're good friends first, that might help!"

Marriage has not been perfect for the couple, as they too have had their dark days in their union. They and their four children, John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, have always managed to go through hard times as a team.

Denzel's marriage has survived due to several aspects, and in a previous interview, he has joked that he has learned how to shut up and always do what his wife asks of him.

apost.com

Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington (2017), (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

"What pops into my head: security, food, a beautiful home. The difference between a house and a home, it's a big difference."

He added on the same interview. He also stated how much his wife has been pivotal in raising their children and making their house a home.

During a snippet in the TD Jakes show featuring the movie 'Equalizer 2,' when asked about his marriage, Denzel is never shy to admit how his wife has been the family's primary support system. He went ahead to comment on Pauletta, "She has been the consistent one when it came to taking care of him and the kids. She has given daily religious instruction. She was the one taking them to school while I was out providing."

Having come from a broken family, Denzel did not have all the basics as a child. He never got the kind of love that his wife got from her family.

They say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and for the many years they have been married, Denzel has enjoyed Pauletta's Chicken curry.

The couple has also publicly based their marriage on a deep-rooted faith. Pauletta, in an interview, admitted that their marriage is all spiritual and based on God. She has continuously sought spiritual counseling whenever situations got out of hand. She also added a remark about their friends, "My inner circle is also like-minded, so we strengthen each other."

In an interview with Ebony Magazine, Pauletta described how she knows both sides when it comes to her husband. She is happily the platform he can use to elevate, giving him the strength to move forward.

Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington (2019), (Michael Kovac/Getty Images/AFI)

More and more young rising stars need to borrow a leaf from Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta. Not only are they incredible actors, but they also have one of the longest-lasting drama-free marriages in Hollywood! Feel free to spread these insightful tips from this delightful couple with your family and friends. Who knows? This might just be your relationship’s life-saver. 

Please scroll below for more stories :-)