Pauletta Washington, Denzel's Longtime Wife, Turned Actor Down First
Denzel Washington surprised fans this week when he revealed that Pauletta, his wife of 30 years, first turned down many of his marriage proposals.
The "Two Guns" star and his wife married in 1983 and share four children together.
On Tuesday, the couple sat down with Access Hollywood when they discussed their marriage.
According to Pauletta, it was only after rejecting two of Denzel's marriage proposals that she finally said yes.
"It was three times," said Pauletta, whose maiden name is Pearson, after her husband expressed skepticism. "I know with age sometimes [the mind goes].
"You heard it here first," replied Denzel. "She turned me down, she said 'no.' And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice."
The couple's admission arrives just weeks after shooting down allegations of cheating and rumors of divorce.
"They are not divorcing, not separating," said the rep, according to GossipCop.
Hearsay about the pair divorcing mounted when Star magazine reported that the actor had been caught cheating on his wife.
The report claimed that the "Training Day" star was seen kissing another woman and that Pauletta had "moved to New York to contemplate" their marriage.
Still, a source close to the couple said that the report was "nonsense," according to GossipCop.
Earlier this year, the Washingtons discussed their marriage at length with Ebony magazine when the actor revealed that he and his wife "go through ups and downs just like any couple," but that divorce was not in the cards.
"There's no magical mystery to [staying together," said the 58-year-old actor.
"I live with this man," added 62-year-old Pauletta. "I see the down part. I see the sad part. I see every part. He has and knows he has the stability in me as his wife. That's what gives him his strength, regardless is he misuses it."
