Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta’s relationship timeline

Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta WashingtonThe relationship flourished early in his career.

The couple first bonded while filming the 1977 TV movie, Wilma: The Story of Wilma Rudolph. However, Denzel and Paulette did not become close until the following year. During an interview in 2018 on Living with Kelly and RyanDenzel hinted that greater forces were at work to bring him together with his future wife.

“About a year later, there was a party I was invited to … and she was there,” he recalled. “I was talking about going to the theater at that party. I went to watch the game and the lights came on at halftime. And (Pauletta) was sitting (near me).

Denzel recalled Pauletta telling him she “happened to go see the show,” but the actor teased that he wasn’t buying it. Despite his later joke, Denzel and Pauletta eventually hit it off and the couple married in 1983.

A year after the wedding, the couple had their first child, a son John David Washington. They later expanded their family with daughter Katia and twins Olivia and Malcolm in 1986 and 1991.

Keep scrolling to revisit Denzel and Pauletta’s love story:

1977

The actors first crossed paths on Wilma: The Story of Wilma Rudolph file.

1978

A year later, Denzel and Pauletta started dating. In an interview from June 2019 with AND! News Flanked by her husband, Pauletta revealed that she paid for a taxi on the pair’s first date.

“I (plan) to pay for a cab, but then I watch the meter and I’m out of money,” Denzel explained, before Pauletta chimed in, “she turns to me and says, ‘I don’t have any money. .'”

Denzel denied saying that, but Pauletta insisted she had a vivid memory of the experience. She reaffirmed that she paid for the cab, and Denzel made it well known that “from then on” he took the initiative to pay for everything.

June 1983

The couple tied the knot. Before walking down the aisle, Pauletta rejected Denzel’s proposal twice before agreeing to marry him.

“She turned me down, she said ‘no,'” the Oscar winner said Entering Hollywood in July 2013. “And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice.”

July 1984

A year later, Pauletta gave birth to the couple’s first child, John David.

November 1986

The couple expanded their family with a daughter, Katia.

April 1991

Denzel and Pauletta added twins Olivia and Malcolm to their family.

1995

After 12 years of marriage, Pauletta and Denzel renewed their vows. The ceremony took place in South Africa and was officiated by their friend, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

March 2002

Denzel brought his wife to the Oscars. He ended up winning Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in the film Training day.

June 2005

The couple won the Humanitarian Award at the BET Awards.

January 2016

Pauletta was by Denzel’s side as he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the Golden Globes.

June 2019

Denzel made it a family event when he won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the AFI Film Awards.

September 2024

Pauletta and Denzel attended the Toronto International Film Festival to support Malcolm and John David’s film, Piano lessons.

That same month, Pauletta revealed what it means to celebrate her and Denzel’s 41st wedding anniversary earlier that year.

“We’re working on it.” It’s work. It’s not like you sit there and go, ‘Oh, you know…'” she reflected. People. “There are many prayers for strength to stay in forgiveness mode and both parts, mine and his. But it is the basic love we have for each other.”

December 2024

Denzel got baptized and licensed to become a priest before Christmas, during which he thanked Pauletta for her support.

“I am grateful for everything God has given me in 70 years: a loving, faithful wife,” he said. ABC News.

Pauletta then testified on his behalf, recalling the first time they met: “At intermission, the lights came on and we sat next to each other, and 45, 46 years later, I’m still sitting here next to him. As only God would have it. And I’m very proud of him.”

She added: “You are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children who are now grown children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference.”