Who Is Denzel Washington's Wife? All About Actress Pauletta Washington

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:George Pimentel/FilmMagic

George Pimentel/FilmMagic

Denzel Washingtonmay have been namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alivein 1996, but he caught his wife Pauletta Washington’s eye long before then.

The Equalizerstar met Pauletta (née Pearson) on the set of his first movie, 1977’sWilma. But it wasn’t until months later, at a mutual friend’s party, that the two actually spoke.

The pair eventually wed in 1983 and went on to welcomefour children. When it comes to raising their now-adult children, Denzel has given Pauletta a lot of credit.

“You can buy a house, but that doesn’t make it a home,” Denzel told PEOPLE in 2018. “And not to say a man can’t make a home a home, but my wife has made our house a home, andraised these beautiful kidsand protected them and sacrificed for them, she did the heavy lifting.”

While accepting the American Film Institute’s life achievement award in 2019, Denzel said he “wouldn’t survive” without his wife’s love and support. “I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington,” he said.

TheRemember the Titansactor sang Pauletta’s praises again in November 2023, when he appeared onTom Brady’s radio show,Let’s Go! with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray.

“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 a great mother of our children, butshe holds everything together,” Denzel said.

So, who is the actress, philanthropist and musician that Denzel Washington can’t live without? Here’s everything to know about Pauletta Washington.

She is a classically trained pianist and vocalist

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According to theWinston-Salem Journal, Pauletta began entering piano competitions at age 10 before studying at the North Carolina School of the Arts, The Juilliard School and the University of North Texas.

She also recorded the song “It’s In Your Eyes” for the soundtrack of Denzel’s 1993 filmPhiladelphia.

She’s an accomplished actor

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She and Denzel disagree about how they met

“Denzel and his friends came at the very end of the party,” she recalled. “We spoke again. We were reintroduced. And then next night, I attended a play. And I got there late, so I snuck in and just sat down. I didn’t look at who was around me, and at intermission, the lights came up, and we were sitting next to each other.”

Pauletta added she grew attracted to Denzel over time. “I thought he was cute, but I fell in love with his spirit, really,” she told Winfrey. “That I saw first. And then I thought, ‘Not a bad package,’ you know?”

While Pauletta made the encounter sound like a happy coincidence, Denzel recalled the moment differently.

“I had talked at that party, I talked about going to see a play. I went to see the play and at intermission, the lights came up and she was sitting [there],” he recalled onLive with Kelly and Ryan. “She said she justhappenedto go see the play … I’m getting in trouble as I speak!”

She paid for the cab on their very first date

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In 2017, Denzel recounted his first date with Paulettaduring an appearanceonJimmy Kimmel Live!. The actor had planned to pay for a cab on their date, but his plan went slightly awry.

“I was gonna splurge and we were gonna take a cab,” he said. “And the meter’s going, and I’m going, ‘Uh oh … how far away does she live?’ She paid.”

She turned down two proposals from Denzel

At the 2013 premiere of Denzel’s film2 Guns, Pauletta toldAccess Hollywoodthat he proposed to her three times. Denzel objected, recalling that it was only twice.

“It was three times. I know with age sometimes things [go], the mind,” Pauletta joked.

“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.”

She and Denzel married in 1983

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Denzel and Pauletta got married in June 1983.

During his 2017 appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor revealed their wedding also had a small mishap. “We were shaking so many hands, taking pictures, they ran out of food,” he told Kimmel. “We ended up at [a diner], we had eggs or something. True story.”

“We work at it. It’s work,” she said. “There are a lot of prayers for strength for staying in a forgiveness mode. But it’s the basic love that we have for each other.”

She took a break from her career to raise their children

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“When I became pregnant … [St. Elsewhere] was shooting in Los Angeles and I was here on Broadway,” she said in a 2011 interview withWendy Williams. “Where would the child be, you know, in the air? So I decided that I wanted to — it was my choice — to be home and create a home. I’m so happy I did.”

She is a philanthropist

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Pauletta is one of the founding and executive members of The Brain Trust of Cedars-Sinai, a group that raises money and awareness for research into brain tumors and the central nervous system, according toSpelman College. She is also on the board of trustees at Spelman.

In 2005, she and Denzel were awarded the BET Humanitarian Award, according toCBS News, for the Pauletta and Denzel Washington Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience. According toCedars-Sinai Medical Center, the program offers undergraduates and graduate-level researchers the funds and resources to work with renowned physicians, neurosurgeons and scientists in their fields.

She enjoys cooking

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In 2018, Denzel spoke to PEOPLE about the secret to their decades-long marriage. “I do what I’m told. I keep my mouth shut,” he joked.

He also sharedwhat he appreciates most about his wife. “What pops into my head: security, food, a beautiful home,” he said.

When asked about her cooking, specifically, Denzel added, “She has a few [specialties]. I’ve been eating her curry chicken since I’ve known her. I used to make it too, but not as good as hers.”

Their children are following in their footsteps

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The couple’s oldest son,John David, began his adult life as aprofessional football player. After playing for Morehouse College, John David was briefly signed to the St. Louis Rams. He also played in Germany with NFL Europe and for the United Football League’s Sacramento Mountain Lions for three seasons.

After his football career, John David made a name for himself in Hollywood. He’s starred in films likeBlacKkKlansman,TenetandMalcolm & Marie. In October 2022, he began performances in the Broadway production ofThe Piano LessonwithSamuel L. JacksonandDanielle Brooks.

John David spoke to PEOPLE in 2020 about how his parentsinfluenced his career.

As for his mother, he said, “Pauletta Washington gives me inspiration. That’s my mother, the most consistent person in my life.”

The couple’s daughter, Olivia, is also an actress. In an October 2021 appearance onGood Morning America, Denzel discussed his and Pauletta’s children all being well-versed in the arts.

“I’m a dad so I’m gonna keep saying it: Olivia Washington is a great young actress. Very, very, very good young actress, so she’s coming for her brother [John David],” he joked. “It’s a team sport in our house.”

Their other children both work behind the scenes; son Malcolm is a director and producer and daughter Katia is also a producer.

In November 2024, Denzel and Pauletta supported their sons at theLos Angeles premiere ofThe Piano Lesson, starring John David. The film also marked Malcolm’s directorial debut.

source: people.com