Fans may find encouragement from couples who have made their marriages work in an industry where marriage and quick divorces are the norms. Denzel Washington has been married to his wife, Pauletta Washington, for more than 40 years.

Despite being one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, Denzel has kept his personal life notoriously private, thanks to his captivating and dramatic performances.

The pair has four children in addition to their nearly four-decade-long marriage. But how did this enviable love story begin?

Denzel and Pauletta’s story began in 1977 on the set of the television film «Wilma,» in which Denzel played Wilma Rudolph’s husband and Pauletta played a track star.

However, the «The Equalizer» star claimed that, despite the fact that their paths initially met, they did not pursue a romance right away.

«I met her then, but she wasn’t there.» «I saw her at the time.»

A year later, at a gathering that Pauletta had also attended, the celebrity mentioned going to see a play. And when the lights came back on at intermission, he was astonished, albeit happily, to see her sitting there. He laughed. «She said she just happened to go see the play.»

According to Pauletta’s account of events, a mutual acquaintance invited her to a party, to which Denzel and his friends arrived late. They were reintroduced, and the next night she went to see a play and arrived late.

Pauletta crept in, sat down, and watched the show, entirely oblivious of who sat next to her. However, when the lights came on, she was sat next to her future husband.