Who is Denzel Washington’s Wife, Pauletta Washington? Actress, Rejected Husband’s Proposal Twice

Denzel Washington is a renowned American actor, producer and director. Before he made a name for himself on screen, Denzel first started performing on stage after training at the American Conservatory Theatre. However, it wasn’t until Denzel appeared on NBC’s medical drama series, St. Elsewhere (1982-1988) and in the war film, A Soldier’s Story (1984) that he began to gain more recognition. Some of his most well-known works include Glory (1989), Training Day (2001), Cry Freedom (1987), Malcom X (1992), The Book of Eli (2010), and The Equalizer trilogy (2014-2023), to name a few.

Recently, Denzel Washington has been hogging all the spotlight after a fan caught him on video on February 5, 2026, at the Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the video, he can be seen leaving his courtside seat and making his way toward the NBA star, LeBron James. While their interaction was short and sweet, with them shaking hands and embracing, many fans believe that it was Denzel’s way of showing his support to LeBron. However, have you ever wondered who Denzel’s biggest supporter is in real life? If you have, let us tell you that it is none other than his wife of over forty years, Pauletta Washington, with whom the actor tied the knot in 1983. To learn more about Denzel’s ladylove, Pauletta Washington, keep on reading.  

Pauletta Washington is a trained pianist and a vocalist  

According to a report by the Winston-Salem Journal, Pauletta Washington is a classically trained pianist and vocalist. Apparently, she started participating in competitions when she was only 10 years old. Following this, she went on to pursue her education at the North Carolina School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, and the University of North Texas. It is worth mentioning that she recorded a song for her husband, Denzel’s 1993 film, Philadelphia. The song in question is titled It’s In Your Eyes.  

Pauletta Washington is also an actor like her husband, Denzel  

Not many people might be aware, but like her husband, Denzel Washington, Pauletta Washington is also an accomplished actor. She began her acting career in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar and Shakespeare’s Cabaret, among others. Following this, she ventures into the TV and film industry. As fate would have it, she ended up meeting her future husband on the set of the film where she landed her first on-screen role. During an episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2018, Denzel recalled the time and said: 

“The first movie I ever did – TV movie – was about Wilma Rudolph, and I played Wilma Rudolph’s boyfriend. Pauletta was one of the track stars. I met her then, but I didn’t meet her then. I saw her then.”  

Since her first acting gig, Pauletta Washington has built an impressive résumé, mostly in TV. One of her most notable works is the series adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It, which aired from 2017 to 2019. Later, she also played Aretha Franklin’s grandmother, Rachel, in the 2021 biographical series, Genius: Aretha Franklin. While appearing on TV, Pauletta has also continued to work on Broadway, where she has starred in various kinds of productions.  

Pauletta Washington was proposed to thrice by her husband, Denzel 

In a shocking revelation, Pauletta confessed to Access Hollywood at the 2013 premiere of Denzel’s film, 2 G*ns that he proposed to her not once but three times. At the time, Denzel objected to his wife’s statement, claiming he had proposed only twice. Pauletta corrected him, saying it was indeed three times, not two, and jokingly added, “I know with age sometimes things [go], the mind.” To this, Denzel said: 

“You heard it here first. She turned me down, she said no. And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice.” 

Pauletta Washington took a break from her music and acting career in order to raise her children 

After Pauletta Washington and Denzel tied the knot in June 1983, they welcomed four children together. However, with both of them busy with their own careers, Pauletta had to step back from music and acting to focus on raising her children. Her decision came at the time when Denzel was reportedly starring in the TV series, St. Elsewhere. Pauletta explained her decision in a 2011 interview with Wendy Williams, stating: 

“When I became pregnant…[St. Elsewhere] was shooting in Los Angeles, and I was here on Broadway. 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.” 

Pauletta Washington is a philanthropist  

If reports are believed to be true, Pauletta Washington is a philanthropist and a founding and executive member of The Brain Trust of Cedars-Sinai. For the unversed, the group is mainly focused on raising money as well as research into brain tumours and the central nervous system. Additionally, she serves on the board of trustees at Spelman College. Back in 2005, Pauletta was awarded the BET Humanitarian Award alongside her husband, Denzel Washington.

According to CBS News, they got the award for the Pauletta and Denzel Washington Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience. The program was developed to help undergraduates and graduate students secure the funds and resources necessary to work with well-known and established physicians, neurosurgeons, and scientists in their fields.  

What are your thoughts on actor, Denzel Washington’s wife, Pauletta Washington? Let us know.  

Also read: Meet Michelle Yeoh’s Ex-Husband, Dickson Poon, Hong Kong Billionaire, Led Her To Retire From Acting?