Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta have endured a lot together. She was with him before fame, when he could not afford to pay for a cab, and he has called her the “most important person” in his life. The actor has shared the secrets of their long marriage, and one of them involves doing what she says and keeping his mouth shut.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta | Denzel Washington and Pauletta | Source: Getty Images

Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta have been together for more than four decades and have shown no signs of separating soon. The first time the actor saw her was while he was on a job.

It had been his first movie, and Pauletta was one of the track stars on the set; however, that was not where they formally met. A year later, someone invited him to a party, and once again, Pauletta was around.

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

At the party, Denzel talked about seeing a play, and when he got around to doing that, Pauletta was there waiting. He realized this during the movie’s intermission when the lights were turned on.

She was seated in his line of sight, and when they talked, Pauletta revealed that she just “happened” to be seeing the same movie. According to Denzel, he knew he was getting in trouble after that.

She Paid on Their First Date

Denzel was not yet the famous man he is now, back when he started courting his wife, Pauletta. In fact, on their first date, the gorgeous Pauletta was the one who covered their cab fare. At the time, he had planned to “splurge” on a cab rather than have them walk back to her place.

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington attend The 59th New York Film Festival Opening Night – The Tragedy Of Macbeth at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on September 24, 2021, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The only other option was the subway. They boarded a cab with plans for Denzel to pay; however, he had no idea that she lived far away. He started getting the picture when the cab’s meter kept reading.

He called her “the most important person in his life” and confessed that she taught him many things, including faith, spirituality, and love.

Eventually, Pauletta had to cover the bills, but it did not affect the trajectory of their relationship. Over time their feelings deepened, and Denzel started trying to get her to marry him.

Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington arrive at ‘Laperouse’ restaurant on June 28, 2019, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

According to Pauletta, it took him three proposals before she finally agreed to be his wife. Denzel contested this in one of their past interviews; however, he admits that she only agreed on his third try.

She Has Absolute Trust in Him

Pauletta and Denzel got married on June 25, 1983. They renewed their vows again in 1995 while on a romantic trip to South Africa. The late Archbishop and activist Desmond Tutu was the one who oversaw the whole affair.

The couple has welcomed four kids, with the first arriving in 1984. They named him John David, and he followed his father’s steps to become an actor. Some movies he has featured include “Tenet” and “BlackkKlansman.”

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington attend the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Denzel Washington After Party at Sunset Tower Hotel on June 06, 2019, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Denzel and Pauletta welcomed their second child three years after the birth of John. They named her Katia, and she was followed by the twins Olivia and Malcolm, whom they welcomed in 1991.

The kids could not have asked for better parents. Denzel was a good father, and Pauletta sacrificed a lot to raise their kids. At some point, she even had to take a break from her acting career to have more time to cater to her family.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington attend the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington at Dolby Theatre on June 06, 2019, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

It was not until she became an “empty nester” that she finally returned to acting, but by then, her career was no longer what it used to be. She even claimed that many people did not notice she was back after her return. Pauletta had also developed a taste for what sort of movies she wanted to be featured in. She said:

“If it’s a story that I feel is exciting and necessary, those are really motivating factors for me.”

Pauletta’s sacrifices were not unnoticed by her family, who are grateful to her. Her marriage to Denzel has endured a lot, but one thing that she always has to contend with is his status as a sex symbol.

Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta Washington pose at the opening night of “The Iceman Cometh” on Broadway at The Jacobs Theatre on April 26, 2018, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

According to her, he still pulled the female crowd, and sometimes when they went out in public, the fans would push her over to get to him. She has unwavering faith in Denzel and does not let anything in the news distract her from that truth.

She is confident about where she stands in his life, and he can rest assured that she’s not insecure, regardless of any rumors about them the tabloids dish. Pauletta believes this gives him strength and has admitted that it gives him wings to soar as high as he wants.

He Eats Her Chicken Curry All the Time

It has been 46 years since Denzel and Pauletta started dating, but he still loves her chicken curry, which he enjoys eating every time. From time to time, he tries to make it, too; however, hers always beats his, and he knows it.

Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington arrives at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Besides the excellent food she makes, Denzel also once stated that she made him feel secure and has helped him build a great home. This is very important to Denzel as he believes a home has to be built by two people.

In 2019, Denzel accepted the AFI Life Achievement Award, and during his speech, one of those he dedicated to the award was his wife. He called her “the most important person in his life” and also said: “I would not be alive without Pauletta.”

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington arrive at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

When it comes to the secret to the longevity of their marriage, Denzel once joked about how he does what he is told and keeps quiet. He has also stated that there is no one secret to keeping a marriage alive. He said:

“There is no secret to the perfect marriage. You have to work at it. Not give up on each other. It’s a commitment.”

Denzel also thinks good friends make better partners and considering how long his marriage to Pauletta has lasted, who can dispute that?