Denzel Washington Reveals Secret to Maintaining 35 Years of Marriage with Wife Pauletta

Photo Credit: VALERIE MACON/Getty

Denzel Washington has been happily married to his wife, Pauletta. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated their 35th anniversary. In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, the actor was asked the key to maintaining a marriage and he jokingly replied:

“I do what I’m told. I keep my mouth shut!”

Denzel and Paulette met on the set of the television film, Wilma. The two wed in 1983 and currently has four children, David (33), Katia (30) and twins Olivia and Malcolm (27).

He praised Pauletta for being an amazing wife and mother to his kids.

“There’s too many things! What pops into my head: security, food, a beautiful home. The difference between a house and a home, it’s a big difference. You can buy a house, but that doesn’t make it a home – and not to say a man can’t make a home a fome, but my wife has made our house a home, and raised these beautiful kids and protected them and sacrificed for them, she did the heavy lifting.”

Take note fellas!