Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee? The Incredible Life Story of Morgan Freeman’s Ex-Wife
Myrna Colley-Lee is best known to the public as the second wife of Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, but her own story stretches far beyond that marriage. A respected costume designer, art director and philanthropist, Colley-Lee built a career in theatre and film long before she became a familiar face at Hollywood premieres. Her 26-year marriage to Freeman placed her in the public eye, yet she has always been recognised in creative circles for her own work, particularly her contributions to costume design and her efforts to preserve African American art and culture. This article looks at who she is, where she came from and what she has achieved on her own terms.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
| Born | 1941, Hamlet, North Carolina, USA |
| Occupation | Costume designer, art director, philanthropist |
| Education | BFA, Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina; further study at Brooklyn College; MFA, Temple University (1980) |
| Notable Work | Frederick Douglass: An American Life, The Piano Lesson, Radio Golf |
| Spouse | Morgan Freeman (married 16 June 1984, divorced 15 September 2010) |
| Adopted Child | E’Dena Hines |
| Known For | Costume design career and the Myrna Colley-Lee African American art collection |
Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in 1941 in Hamlet, North Carolina. Few details about her childhood or her parents have been made public, as she has generally kept her personal history private throughout her career. What is known is that she pursued a strong academic grounding in the arts from an early stage, setting the foundation for the design career that would follow.
She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina before continuing her studies at Brooklyn College in New York, where she focused on scene painting and properties. She later completed a master’s degree in scenic and costume design from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980, equipping her with the technical skills she would go on to use throughout her professional life.
Career as a Costume Designer and Art Director
Colley-Lee built a long career in costume design, set direction and commercial interior design, working on a range of theatre productions, television projects and films. Her credits include the 1985 documentary Frederick Douglass: An American Life, where she led the costume and wardrobe department, as well as productions such as The Piano Lesson, Relativity and Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White.
She also worked on August Wilson’s play Radio Golf at the Public Theater in Pittsburgh, contributing costume design to a cast that included several respected stage actors. Although she rarely appeared on screen herself, she featured in a 2005 episode of 60 Minutes titled “The Bridge to Gretna,” which examined the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and was credited as Morgan Freeman’s wife. Beyond entertainment, she expanded into commercial interior design, lending her aesthetic eye to projects for well-known organisations.
Marriage to Morgan Freeman
Colley-Lee and Freeman were introduced by a mutual friend and married in a small ceremony on 16 June 1984. The wedding took place at Sonedna, the Mississippi property belonging to Freeman’s parents, in an intimate gathering attended by both families. The couple settled largely in Tallahatchie County in northern Mississippi, where Freeman owned a ranch, choosing a relatively quiet life away from the height of Hollywood attention.
The pair did not have biological children together, but they adopted E’Dena Hines, Freeman’s step-granddaughter from his first marriage, and raised her as their own. Colley-Lee remained close to Freeman’s extended family throughout the marriage, including his other children and grandchildren, and the couple were frequently seen together at film premieres, galas and charitable events over the years.
Divorce and Settlement
After 24 years of marriage, the couple separated in December 2007, with divorce proceedings filed under seal in July 2008. The split came to public attention shortly after Freeman was seriously injured in a car accident near his Mississippi home that same year. Reports at the time suggested infidelity on Freeman’s part contributed to the breakdown of the marriage, though neither party gave a detailed public account of the reasons behind the split.
The divorce was finalised on 15 September 2010. Colley-Lee reportedly received a significant financial settlement as part of the proceedings, reflecting the length of the marriage and the couple’s shared assets built up over more than two decades together.
Philanthropy and Life After Divorce
Since the divorce, Colley-Lee has continued to build her profile as an art collector, philanthropist and advocate for African American culture. She has served as a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission and has sat on several community boards, including the Charleston Arts and Revitalisation Effort, supporting local arts initiatives in the state she called home for many years.
In 2017, she helped organise Reflections: African American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection, an exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Georgia that ran for around three months and showcased pieces from her personal art collection. The exhibition reflected her long-standing interest in Southern and African American artistic traditions, a theme that has run through much of her later work and public contributions.
Conclusion
Myrna Colley-Lee’s story is far richer than her marriage to Morgan Freeman suggests. From her formal training in costume and scenic design to her decades-long career in theatre and film, and her continuing work as an art collector and philanthropist, she has carved out a distinct identity built on creativity and cultural preservation. While her marriage brought her into the public eye, her own achievements have given her a lasting legacy independent of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer, art director and philanthropist, widely known as the second wife of actor Morgan Freeman.
How long were Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman married?
They were married for 24 years, from 16 June 1984 until they separated in December 2007, with the divorce finalised in September 2010.
Did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman have children together?
They did not have biological children, but they adopted Freeman’s step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines, and raised her together.
What does Myrna Colley-Lee do for a living?
She has worked for decades as a costume designer and art director on theatre, television and film productions, and she is also active in commercial interior design and art collecting.
What is Myrna Colley-Lee known for today?
Beyond her design career, she is known for her philanthropic work and her African American art collection, parts of which were exhibited at the Columbus Museum in Georgia in 2017.
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