Who Is The Wife Of Morgan Freeman, Myrna Colley-Lee?

Myrna Colley-Lee is a Shawshank Redemption actor Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife as well as a theater costume designer, philanthropist, and supporter of the arts. As a designer, she has had her renderings, collages, and costumes displayed in numerous exhibitions across the nation.

The Tobin Collection of Theater Arts at the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum and several Mississippi museums are two well-known examples of such art institutions.

She was a designer during the 1960s Black Movement. People continue to consider her to be one of the best costume designers associated with the Black Theater Movement. She has won numerous awards and is an enthusiastic art collector.

Speaking of Myrna and Freeman, they had been married for over 20 years, so when they split up in the late 2000s, many were understandably shocked. Learn more about her early years, work, current endeavors, and other aspects of her life to better understand why she and Freeman got divorced.

Hamlet, North Carolina, is the hometown of Myrna Colley

Myrna Colley-Lee, the ex-wife of Morgan Freeman, was born in Hamlet, North Carolina in February 1941.

Colley-Lee, who is currently 81 years old, earned a BFA from the University of North Carolina’s Women’s College. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is now the name of the organization.

At Brooklyn College in New York, she additionally studied scene painting and properties. Later, Freeman’s ex-girlfriend obtained her MFA in scenic and costume design at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the early 1980s.

What led to the meeting of Myrna Colley-Lee and her ex-husband Morgan Freeman?

Myrna Colley-Lee, a seasoned costume designer, and Morgan Freeman, an Academy Award winner, got to know one another through a mutual friend.

Mid-June 1984 saw their nuptials. Colley-Lee and the Driving Miss Daisy star spent their later years of marriage living close to Tallahatchie County in northern Mississippi.

Their Separation

After 26 years of marriage, Freeman and his former wife Colley-Lee divorced in December 2007. In the wake of Freeman’s vehicle accident in Mississippi in August 2008, the news of their breakup made headlines.

The documents were filed in July 2008. Actor Freeman and Colley-Lee, his ex-wife, formalized their divorce in Mississippi in 2010.

Following the procedures, Freeman’s attorney stated that the separation was completed without a trial and that everyone was relieved that the paperwork was completed.

Although Freeman and Myrna never explicitly stated their reasons for divorcing, rumors have it that the former’s problems with adultery were a factor. According to rumors, Freeman cheated on Colley-Lee with a friend of his ex-wife.

One of the factors in his and Colley-falling Lee’s out has always been Morgan’s alleged extramarital affair. Myrna allegedly further asserted that Morgan had a relationship with his step-granddaughter E’Dena Hines.

However, the Dark Knight star refuted the claims. According to the sources at the time, Freeman might have lost almost $100 million in the divorce proceeding.

Do Colley-Lee’s Children Exist?

Colley-Lee has been close to Freeman’s children from his past marriages even though she has never given birth to any of her own. She reportedly afterward came to think of Freeman’s children from prior relationships as her own.

Morgana Freeman and E’dena Hines were purportedly adopted by her and the Glory actor. While Morgana is Freeman’s daughter from his first marriage to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, the latter was Freeman’s step-granddaughter.

In addition, Myrna and her ex-actor husband brought up Morgan’s child with Loletha Adkins, Alfonso Rene Freeman. The kid of Morgan from one of his previous partnerships, Saifoulaye Freeman, was also cared for by Colley-Lee and Freeman. He also has a son named Alphonso from a previous relationship with Loletha Adkins.

How much of Morgan Freeman’s wealth was divided between Colley-Lee and her during the divorce proceedings?

There are conflicting claims about how much money Colley-Lee received after divorcing the Bruce Almighty star. The numbers range in value from the hundreds of millions to $400 million. Although the latter looks a little unconvincing given that Freeman’s estimated lifetime net worth has never been cited as having reached that amount.

However, most publications do support the idea that Myrna earned a sizable divorce settlement, with the majority often stating no less than $100 million or so. It’s important to note that Colley-Lee’s ex-husband is still one of Hollywood’s wealthiest figures, with an estimated net worth of more than $250 million.

Myrna Colley-Lee’s current husband is who?

Even though Morgan is supposedly seeing movie producer Lori McCreary, it is impossible to determine what is happening in Colley-Lee, Freeman’s ex-wife,’s life, particularly on a personal level.

Myrna’s ABCs have always been a significant question mark, especially since her divorce from the Wanted actor. In contrast to Morgan and his partner McCreary, who frequently appear together on red carpets, at events, and in public settings.

Stepgranddaughter of Myrna Colley-Lee Died Horribly

The stepgranddaughter of the art patron Colley-Lee’s ex-husband, Edena Hines, passed away tragically in the middle of the 2010s, although they had a close relationship.

E’dena lost away on August 16, 2015, as a result of her lover Lamar Davenport allegedly stabbing her more than 25 times. He appeared to be using narcotics at the time.

Several hours after Hines’ passing, Colley-Lee was reportedly seen in her New York apartment.

Since childhood, Myrna Colley-Lee has worked as a costume designer

Colley-Lee began designing costumes at a young age; at the beginning of her career, she did so for the movie It Is Weird. Colley-Lee also created the set designs for the amateur production of Long Day’s Journey into the Night.

Relativity at the Black Rep in St. Louis, Mo., The Piano Lesson, and Forest City at the Cleveland Playhouse in Ohio have all featured her costume designs.

Additionally, Myrna worked as a designer for the Public Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s production of August Wilson’s play Radio Golf.

Colley-Lee Enjoys Philanthropy as Well

In 2017, she participated in the planning of an exhibition of art at the Columbus Museum in Georgia that highlighted Afro-American culture. Sonna, a nonprofit organization that Colley-Lee started in 2006, is also named after her.

The group supports and honors writers of all genres and settings as well as the literary arts.

Her Honors and Accomplishments

Myrna, Freeman’s ex-wife, has won countless awards throughout the years. Among them are the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Lifetime Achievement Award, the Doctor of Creative Arts from Mississippi State University, and Outstanding Costume Design from The National Black Theater Festival.

The aforementioned 2022 Governor’s Arts Award for “Excellence in Costume Design and Arts Patron” is one of her most recent accolades.

This honor was given to Colley-Lee by the Mississippi Senate in recognition of her famed work as a costume designer, philanthropist, supporter, and patron of the arts.

Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters, the Honored Artist designation from the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Wynona Lee Fletcher Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Designer from the Black Theater Network.

Design by Myrna Colley-Lee for the Black Movement

As previously indicated, Colley-Lee was a significant figure in the late 20th-century Black Theater movement, which peaked in the late 1960s. She created the costumes for some of the most significant performances that were performed when the Black Theater didn’t have any funds or backing.

She continued to work even after that and has since created costumes for almost 100 plays in addition to working for local theaters.

In addition, Myrna serves as one of the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Board Chairs. She also participates in the Mississippi Museum of Art’s Acquisitions Committee.

Additionally, Colley-Lee serves on the advisory boards of Mississippi State University’s Department of Art and Architecture as well as the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. In addition, Mississippi State University awarded her an honorary doctorate in creative arts.

The Mississippi Arts Commission also has a commissioner who is Freeman’s ex-spouse. She is a Foundation Member of Phi Beta Kappa at Mississippi State.

She also serves on several boards, including those for the Mississippi State University Department of Art, the Rock River Foundation, the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi, and others. Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort, Inc. is a local civic arts organization.

Some Exhibitions And Events Where Her Artwork Has Been Displayed

The Mississippi State University Library includes one of Colley-Lee’s permanent collections of apparel and costumes. Prestigious shows in San Antonio, Detroit, and the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson are a few others that have done the same.

Other exhibitions that have included Colley-Lee’s work include GladRags: Sketches, Swatches, and Costume Designs from 2006, the major exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art from 2006, and Songs of Social Significance at the San Antonio Tobin Collection Gallery of The McNay Museum from 2012.

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