Denzel Washington Says His Greatest Achievement in Life Are His Kids

He is one of the most successful actors of all time — with countless box office hits and two Academy Awards to his name. However, Denzel Washington knows that the biggest accomplishment in his life are his kids.

The Training Day actor was recently honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award — which will will air on TNT on Thursday, June 20, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT), followed by an encore at 11:30 PM (ET/PT). Sister network Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will also air the special in September 2019, during a night of programming dedicated to Denzel’s work. While there, the A-Lister made sure to tell everyone that his biggest achievement is “our children,” who he shares with his wife, Paulette.

Denzel, 64, and Paulette, 68, have been married since 1983, and they share four kids — John, 34, Katie, 31, and twins Oliver and Malcolm, 28. The mega star took some time to pay tribute to his lovely wife while accepting his award.

“The most important person in my life, 40 years. I know she would like me to say, all right, we, we shacked up together when we were nine. 40 years of sacrifice, 40 years of forgiveness. She taught me about faith, spirituality, love, real love, unwavering love. In spite of myself, I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington,” The Equalizer gushed on stage. “I wouldn’t be alive. My wife is a child prodigy. She’s a concert pianist, yeah, people don’t know. Julliard, graduate masters, great musician, great singer, great mother, great wife. I ask you, please, standup and give it up for my wife. My wife, my better half. Bless you, Pauletta.” Beautiful!

Denzel also played a video showing his love’s father 30 years ago. In the clip, he talks about the importance of love and caring for one another. He wraps up his amazing speech by saying that we all should practice what Pauletta’s dad preached to help the next generation.

While the star is all about his wife and kids, he also understands just how much his own mom did for him. “My mother never gave up on me. I messed up in school so much they were sending me home, but my mother sent me right back!” Denzel exclusively told Closer Weekly.

It certainly seems like Denzel has had a ton of love in his life!