Pauletta Washington didn’t need a financial portfolio to see the potential in a young, struggling actor named Denzel Washington when they first met over four decades ago.

to cover the cab fare home after her future husband’s funds ran dry mid-evening

What she couldn’t have anticipated was that their first date would end with her reaching for her wallet after her future husband’s funds ran dry mid-evening.

That moment could have derailed what would become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated unions, now approaching its 42nd anniversary.

The stark contrast between Washington’s humble beginnings and his current status as one of cinema’s most bankable stars offers a compelling narrative about investment — not in stocks or bonds, but in human potential.

In an era where dating apps allow filtering by income bracket and social media encourages displays of wealth, the Washingtons’ partnership stands as a testament to valuing promise over prosperity.

“She said she paid,” Denzel confessed during a Valentine’s Day appearance on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show in 2017. “I was paying earlier, and then I was, you know, gonna splurge and we’re gonna take a cab.”

“The meter is going, and I’m going, ‘Ohh, how far away does she live?'” The punchline that followed — “Yeah, she paid” — has since become a relationship touchstone for the couple.