"I Would Not Be Alive Without Pauletta" Denzel Washington Lovingly Honors His Life Achievement Award To His Wife Of 35 Years

Jun 18, 2019

Earlier this month, accomplished actor Denzel Washington received an AFI Life Achievement Award at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. During his acceptance speech, he dedicated his award to his wife, Pauletta Washington, of 35 years. 

“The most important person in my life,” Washington said in his speech. “40 years, 40 years of sacrifice, 40 years of forgiveness." According to Variety, the actor saved his biggest praise for his family and most importantly his wife Pauletta who he said taught him about "faith, spirituality, love — real love, unwavering love." Washington went onto say, "I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington. I wouldn’t be alive. I wouldn’t have survived."

Earlier in the evening Washington and his wife told E! News reporters about their first date together. "So we took a cab, and you know I'm paying for the cab ride but then I'm watching the meter and I'm running out of money," Washington said. Pauletta chimes in saying, "He turned to me and said 'I have no money.'" Pauletta added that she remembers exactly how the date played out where she ended up having to pay for the whole cab ride to which Denzel shot back with a smile for the play on words "But I've been paying ever since." 

The Life Achievement Award is presented by the American Film Institute an organization that seeks to honor and preserve artists and their work. According to its site, "the AFI Life Achievement Award has remained the highest honor for a career in film and demonstrates the enormous power and the art of film." George Clooney was last year's recipient of the award, right after Diane Keaton in 2017. 

The selection criteria say that "the recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers, and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time." The special event will air on Thursday, June 20th on TNT at 10:00 p.m.(ET/PT) 

Are you as touched by Denzel Washington's devoting speech to his wife as we are?! Tell us in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to any movie buffs who want to tune in for the event on Thursday.