Denzel Washington's 36-Year Marriage: A Hollywood Rarity

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 2 min read

Primary source Kenyan Digest archive

This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.

July 2, 2019, marked a milestone for Hollywood power couple Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta, who have been together for an impressive 36 years.

Despite the challenges that come with maintaining a long-term relationship in the cutthroat entertainment industry, the couple has managed to stay strong, with Denzel crediting Pauletta for making their home a haven.

“There’s too many things!” Denzel told People magazine when asked what he appreciates most about his wife. “What pops into my head: security, food, a beautiful home. The difference between a house and a home, it’s a big difference. You can buy a house, but that doesn’t make it a home – and not to say a man can’t make a home a home, but my wife has made our house a home, and raised these beautiful kids [John David, 33, Katia, 30, twins Olivia and Malcolm, 27] and protected them and sacrificed for them, she did the heavy-lifting.”

With a combined 96 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Denzel and Pauletta have built a legacy that extends beyond their individual careers. Their marriage has been a beacon of hope for couples in the black community, serving as a testament to the power of commitment and hard work.

As Denzel noted in a 2010 interview with The Guardian, “There is no secret to the perfect marriage. I have been married 27 years to Pauletta. 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.”

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