Washington has always been vocal about his wife’s sacrifices and difficulties in adapting to the changes around her

Parting ways with your children as they grow up can be painful to any parent, whether a celebrity or not. While Denzel Washington remained strong about it, his wife, Pauletta Pearson, struggled with that phase in her life.

His wife felt lonely in their home when their children had embarked on their own paths for work and education. She had a nervous breakdown one night when he was away and ended up spending the night in her car.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has a big family with four children, the eldest being John David Washington, who is known for his lead role in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. His younger children include daughter Katia and twins, Olivia and Malcolm.

Denzel Washington’s Wife Had A Nervous Breakdown When He Was Away

Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta Pearson

Denzel Washington appeared on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, where he briefly discussed his family. Washington first met the actress and vocalist, Pauletta Pearson, in 1977 on the set of his debut TV film, Wilma. They later started dating and were married in 1983. Pearson chose to stay at home to care for their four children, and Washington has always been vocal about his wife’s sacrifices.

During the show, Ross inquired about The Equalizer actor’s children and their pursuits. Washington shared that John David Washington was a professional football player then, and Malcolm was involved in basketball. His daughter Olivia was pursuing acting and attending a theater school at the time. Washington further revealed that it was challenging for his wife to come to terms with their children growing up.

The Training Day actor went on to share that recently, while he was away on a project, his wife returned from work and found their empty apartment very disturbing. She left the house and called her husband at 1 in the morning, informing him that she was driving around.

He later found out that she was experiencing a nervous breakdown and spent the entire night in her car, sleeping in it. The Remember the Titans actor shared with Jonathan Ross:

“I was calling home and I’m like oh as soon as I leave my wife’s hanging out all night. But I get a message the next day about one in the morning saying that she’s driving around. She said, ‘Oh hello, I’m just driving around, you know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’

I come to find out she was driving around the driveway. She was so nervous, she’s driving around in the driveway in front of the house so she didn’t want to stay in the house. She slept in the car.”

Pauletta Washington found it difficult to adapt to the changes around her. Ross jokingly asked if they had plans to have another child to compensate for the other four. Washington responded in a similar humorous manner that he would have to ask his wife.

Denzel Washington and His Wife Are Inspiration To Their Children

Denzel Washington and his family

Despite the sacrifices and the pain of their children’s absence, Pauletta and Denzel Washington can take pride in being an inspiration to their successful children.

John David Washington spoke highly about his parents in an interview with People. The BlacKkKlansman actor called his father “the best actor in the industry” and his mother “the most consistent person” in his life. The Malcolm & Marie actor shared with People:

“I think the best actor in the industry, in the business, is my father. I’m inspired by the kind of career he’s had and what he’s had to do.

Again, he’s been on the frontline for many years and what he’s done with it, with his opportunities, I just am so inspired and continue to be inspired by what he does and how he works and his approach to the craft and the business. […]

Pauletta Washington gives me inspiration. That’s my mother, the most consistent person in my life.”

Denzel Washington’s other children are also making their mark in the industry. Katia Washington is now a producer, and Malcolm Washington is a director and producer. His other daughter, Olivia Washington, acted alongside him in the 2021 film, The Little Things.