When people hear the name Myrna Colley-Lee, many think of her as Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife. However, this talented woman has built her own successful career in the arts. She is a respected costume designer, art collector, and community helper who has worked in theater and film for many years.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
| Birth Year | 1941 |
| Age | 83 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Hamlet, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Profession | Costume Designer, Art Director, Philanthropist |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master’s in Scenic and Costume Design |
| Famous For | Costume Design Work, Ex-wife of Morgan Freeman |
| Ex-Husband | Morgan Freeman (actor) |
| Marriage Duration | 1984-2010 (26 years) |
| Wedding Date | June 16, 1984 |
| Divorce Date | September 15, 2010 |
| Children | None (biological), Raised step-granddaughter E’dena Hines |
| Net Worth | Approximately $160 million |
| Notable Awards | Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in Costume Design (2022) |
| Current Residence | Mississippi, USA |
Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in 1941 in Hamlet, North Carolina. Her family moved several times during her childhood. They lived in Atlanta, Georgia, then Daytona Beach, Florida, and later moved to Prairie View, Texas. These moves helped shape her view of different communities and cultures.
Myrna loved art from a young age. She went to the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her passion for design grew stronger during her college years. She wanted to learn more, so she studied scene painting at Brooklyn College in New York. Later, she got her master’s degree in scenic and costume design from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980.
Career as a Costume Designer
Myrna started working as a costume designer in the late 1960s. This was an important time for Black theater in America. She became one of the leading costume designers in the Black Theatre Movement. Her work helped bring African-American stories to life on stage.
Over the years, she has designed costumes for more than 70 theater productions. Some of her famous works include “The Piano Lesson,” “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Ballad of Emmett Till.” She worked with many important theaters across America, including the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Cleveland Playhouse.
Her talent for creating beautiful and meaningful costumes earned her many awards. In 2022, she received the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in Costume Design. She also won the Outstanding Costume Design Award from the National Black Theatre Festival and the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Lifetime Achievement Award.
Meeting Morgan Freeman
Myrna met Morgan Freeman in 1976 during an off-Broadway play. At that time, Freeman was going through problems in his first marriage. Myrna remembered that he seemed sad and alone when they first met. She said, “He was very aloof, alone. It turned out he was separating from his wife, so he was very melancholy.”
A mutual friend brought them together, and they started dating. Their friendship slowly turned into love. After dating for several years, they got married on June 16, 1984, at a small ceremony. The wedding took place at Sonedna, the home of Morgan’s parents in Mississippi.
Life Together
Myrna and Morgan lived a quiet life away from Hollywood. They made their home in Tallahatchie County in northern Mississippi. Morgan owned a large ranch there that covered 120 acres. The property had horses and gave them peace away from the busy entertainment world.
The couple never had biological children together. However, Myrna wanted to be a mother very much. She once said, “I was hysterical to have a baby.” Morgan already had four children from his previous relationships and did not want more kids. But life gave Myrna a chance at motherhood. They adopted Morgan’s step-granddaughter, E’dena Hines, and raised her together. Sadly, E’dena was killed by her boyfriend in 2015, which deeply hurt the family.
During their marriage, Myrna appeared on the TV show “60 Minutes” in 2005. In the interview, she gave an honest view of Morgan’s personality. When asked if he was a narcissist, she said, “He’s more full of himself. He’s self-absorbed.”
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The Divorce
After 26 years of marriage, Myrna and Morgan separated in December 2007. This news came shortly after Morgan was hurt in a car accident in Mississippi. Myrna filed for divorce in July 2008. The divorce papers were kept private and sealed by the court.
The couple never spoke publicly about why they split up. However, many reports said that Morgan’s affairs with other women caused the marriage to end. One report claimed he had a relationship with a school teacher named Mary Joyce Hays. Morgan denied these claims, but rumors continued.
The divorce process took three years. Finally, on September 15, 2010, their marriage officially ended. The divorce settlement was very large. While some reports said Myrna received $400 million, other sources suggest the amount was closer to $100 million. She also got ownership of Morgan’s $7 million house in the British Virgin Islands and an apartment near Central Park in New York.
Despite the divorce, Myrna stayed close to Morgan’s children and grandchildren. She built strong relationships with them during the marriage and kept those bonds afterward.
Life After Divorce
After her divorce, Myrna focused on her art career and helping others. She continued designing costumes for theater productions. She also became deeply involved in art collection and community work.
In 2017, Myrna helped create an art show at the Columbus Museum in Georgia. The show was called “Reflections: African American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection.” It featured artwork that celebrated African-American culture and history. The museum said her collection showed her love for different traditions and how they connect.
Myrna serves on many boards that support the arts. She was a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission. She also works with organizations like the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort, Rock River Foundation, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington. She co-founded the SonEdna Foundation, which helps support writing and literature in the Mississippi Delta.
Her Legacy
Today, Myrna Colley-Lee is known as much more than Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife. She is a respected artist who has spent over 50 years creating beautiful costume designs. Her work has helped tell important stories about African-American life and culture.
Her art collection is considered valuable and meaningful. She has used her money and influence to help young artists and protect African-American cultural history. She supports colleges and universities, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Myrna’s net worth is estimated at around $160 million. This includes money from her successful career and her divorce settlement. She continues to work in theater and stays active in the arts community.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long were Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman married?
Myrna and Morgan were married for 26 years, from June 16, 1984, until their divorce was finalized on September 15, 2010.
2. Did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman have children together?
No, they did not have biological children together. However, they adopted and raised Morgan’s step-granddaughter, E’dena Hines.
3. What is Myrna Colley-Lee’s profession?
Myrna is a professional costume designer and art director. She has worked in theater and film for over 50 years and has designed costumes for more than 70 productions.
4. How much money did Myrna receive in the divorce?
Reports vary, but most sources suggest Myrna received between $100 million and $400 million in the divorce settlement, plus property including homes and real estate.
5. What is Myrna Colley-Lee doing now?
Myrna continues to work as a costume designer and is active in arts philanthropy. She serves on several boards, collects African-American art, and supports cultural and educational programs.
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