Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta Pearson just celebrated their wedding anniversary last month, making their relationship one of the strongest and long-lasting in Hollywood. But it took the Safe House actor several tries before his wife said yes.

In an interview with Access Hollywood, the couple revealed Washington proposed to Pearson three times before she finally agreed.

“You heard it here first,” laughed Washington, “She turned me down, she said no. And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice.”

Washington proposed to Pearson three times before she said yes. (Getty)

When asked why, Pearson – who is known for being tight-lipped about her private life – simply said, “Because I said no.”

Even when they organised their first date, Pearson and Washington met three separate times before finally asking each other out. First, they met on the set of Wilma as cast members, then they bumped into each other at a party, and finally they sat near each other while attending a local play.

When they finally went on their first date, Washington knew he wanted to make it special. So he paid for a cab – or at least, he tried to.

“I was gonna splurge so [I thought] we’re going to take a cab,” he said. “The meter’s going and I’m going, ‘uh oh, how far away does she live?'” he laughed.

Pauletta ended up paying for the cab home on their first date.

Since then, the couple’s relationship has remained strong throughout the years.

After the three proposals, Washington and Pearson finally got married on June 25, 1983. In a hilarious story told on Jimmy Kimmel, Washington said he and Pearson were so busy entertaining and charming all the guests, that they didn’t get a chance to eat at their own reception.

“We were shaking so many hands, taking so many pictures, they ran out of food!”

The couple ended up having an adorable late-night meal at a local diner.

Pearson and Washington now have four now-adult kids together, all of whom have gone to college and are following their parents’ footsteps by dipping their toes in the acting world.

Pearson and Washington have four kids together. (Getty Images for Turner)

The two now prioritise their family over anything else.

In an interview with The Guardian, Washington said, “My children are good people. They are not perfect but they are generous and humble and kind.”

“I’d rather leave this earth as a successful parent than a successful actor.”

Washington told The Guardian that they travelled to South Africa to renew their wedding vows in a 2002 ceremony officiated by anti-Apartheid activist and priest Desmond Tutu.

Since then, Washington and Pearson have even been spotted on casual dates at LA Lakers games.

When asked about the secret to maintaining a strong relationship over several decades, Washington always refers to his wife’s brilliance and hard work.

Washington believes a strong marriage comes from hard work. (Getty)

In an interview with People, he said, “What pops into my head: security, food, a beautiful home. The difference between a house and a home – it’s a big difference.”

“My wife has made our house a home, and raised these beautiful kids and protected them and sacrificed for them, she did the heavy-lifting.”

In an interview with The Guardian, he added, “everybody has their ups and downs; we’ve had ours. It’s hard work, you know. But we made a commitment. A spiritual foundation helps everything – marriage, work, peace of mind.”