As audiences gather to view the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster hit, Gladiator II, which now stars Hollywood A-List Denzel Washtington, Denzel is celebrating another milestone, being married for over 40 years! Award-winning actor Denzel and his wife, actress Pauletta have been married for 41 years, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Forty years in any marriage is an accomplishment, but doing it while being big Hollywood stars is nearly like seeing a unicorn trotting down the street.
Although it hasn't always been an easy road for the couple, thanks to awkward first dates, rejected proposals, and Hollywood divorce rumors, they've managed to make their marriage much stronger, while also raising four successful kids. Before we get into how they actually met and fell in love, scroll down for a look back down memory lane at some of their love through the ages and read their love story.
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How They Met and Their First Date
For the last 41 years, their marriage has notonly served as one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting relationships but has also been one of the most successful marriages in the black community.
It's one of the best examples of black love next to President Obama and First Lady Michelle’s romance. No matter how many rumors come year after year trying to shatter the couple’s positive image, they continue to celebrate their love with class and grace.
Here is their story of Black love while sharing wisdom from their journey with us all.
Denzel and Pauletta met in 1977 while the actor was filming his first TV role in Wilma - which she was also starring in.
“Pauletta was one of the track stars,” he explained. “I met her, but I didn’t meet her then. I just saw her then,” he explained.
Shooting wrapped on Wilma and they went their separate ways. It wasn’t until months later that Denzel would actually meet Pauletta, proving that people come in and out of your life for a reason.
Recalling their fateful second encounter, Pauletta Washington told the Oprah Show in 1996, “A mutual friend of ours, who was also in the film, had given a party. And Denzel and his friends came at the very end of the party,” she remembered.
“We spoke again. We were reintroduced.” Then something truly spectacular happened. “The next night, I attended a play, and he was there” Pauletta continued.
Apparently, it took a lot of convincing for Denzel to get Pauletta to accept a marriage proposal. He told Access Hollywood that he had to ask her multiple times.
"You heard it here first," Denzel said. "She turned me down, she said no. And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice."
When speaking about his wife on a recent episode of the T.D. Jakes Show, Denzel can't stopcomplimenting his better half.
"She has done the heavy lifting. She has been the consistent one. She has given the daily religious instruction. She was the one taking them to school, while I was out providing."
https://youtu.be/RRVmIVpb2a8?si=8pXdt6pW5PIQTWdy
"I grew up in athletics, but my wife's family had a great education. My wife was a child prodigy. I married up! Her family had a love and a closeness that I didn't have. I came from a broken home and I said I have to have that."
Washington and Pearson met on the set of the television film Wilma, and married in June 1983. The couple have four children together -- 30-year-old son John David, 27-year-old daughter Katia and 13-year-old twins Olivia and Malcolm.
What Denzel & Pauletta Do to Keep the Love Strong
In 1995, the star couple renewed their wedding vows in South Africa with Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating.
Throughout the years, Pauletta has stood by her husband's side no matter what the rumors or the fact that scores of women were trying to get to her man. It's who she feels, believes and knows who she is to him that keeps the peace.
"I don't know if it's show business that has a monopoly on divorce, it's just that you hear about it," explained Denzel when speaking to Bishop T.D. Jakes. "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!"
On behalf of herself and Denzel, Pauletta accepted the Humanitarian Award at the 2005 BET Awards, a big win for the couple who have devoted their lives to public service and philanthropy.
Then in January of 2016, Denzel and Pauletta stand together as the actor accepts the Cecil B. Demille Award during the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Throughout their marriage, the dynamic duo have been supportive of each other's careers. They have spoken about the importance of communication and commitment in maintaining a solid and enduring marital relationship.
During his conversation with Tom Brady on SiriusXM's radio show "Let's Go! with Tom Brady," Washington admitted he’s got much to be grateful for. "I'm thankful and I have been blessed beyond measure with the greatest woman in the world, who not only is a beautiful woman and a great wife and I love her, great mother of our children, but she holds everything together," he said.
Pauletta Does This When Other Women Flirt with Denzel
“He’s a sex symbol," Pauletta tells Ebony. Everybody’s around him. And when we’re out, they push me over and run me over to get to him. That part is not so cute.”
Nonetheless, Pauletta does not allow other women or rumors to distract her from her marriage, but remains confident in her relationship with Denzel. “He has and knows he has that stability in me as his wife. That gives him strength, regardless of if he misuses it. I can’t dwell on that. But I do know that gives him a great platform to go and fly.”
Denzel and Pauletta share that it is their overcoming such trials that have made their relationship thrive. Denzel says, “We live in a time — and it’s not for me to judge anyone — when people give up too easily.
It’s a disposable society; get another [spouse].” Pauletta agrees saying, “For me, the ‘love’ in the love story is how you come through the trials. The passion, the lust — that’s easy. The love story is how you come out in love after hardship.”
Talking about their long-lasting marriage with Oprah Winfrey, Denzel said: People who say they knew (if their spouse was the one) right away are lying! It's a marathon, not a sprint."
He admits time apart with months spent away filming has probably helped their marriage rather than hinder it.
He explained: 'Hollywood gets a bad rap; it's just a place with some footprints in cement. I don't live there, I live in Los Angeles. But it's probably helped our marriage that we're apart a lot.'
