Denzel and Pauletta Washington—39 years

It isn’t easy to make relationships last in the entertainment industry. However, actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta are certainly a true inspiration, having been married for 36 years. Although they’ve kept things under wraps, both have shared insights and sentiments into what makes their bond so strong. Washington gave his wife credit for making their marriage work, saying that “she did the heavy lifting.”

The  Hollywood duo first met on the set of Wilma in 1977, and they started dating shortly afterward. While the actor has since become an A-list celebrity, Mrs. Washington has also forged an acting job in her own right. If you didn’t know, she has appeared in films like the Oscar-nominated Philadelphia and Spike Lee’s series She’s Gotta Have It. The couple has welcomed four kids together— John David, Katia, Olivia, and Malcolm— who have also become rising stars in the show business.