Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and philanthropist widely known as the former wife of actor Morgan Freeman. While their 26-year marriage brought her public recognition, Colley-Lee built a substantial career of her own in theatre design and arts advocacy — work that continues to define her legacy independent of her famous former husband.
Quick Facts About Myrna Colley-Lee
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
| Known For | Costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, philanthropist, and former wife of Morgan Freeman |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, philanthropist |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Art Education; scene painting studies at Brooklyn College; master’s in Scenic and Costume Design, Temple University |
| Former Husband | Morgan Freeman (married 1984; divorced 2010) |
| Marriage Date | June 16, 1984 |
| Children | None biological; helped raise step-granddaughter E’dena Hines |
| Career Highlights | The Piano Lesson, Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, Forest City, Frederick Douglass: An American Life (1985) |
| Arts Leadership | Former Commissioner, Mississippi Arts Commission |
| Philanthropy | Supports arts education, museums, and cultural organizations |
| Current Status | Lives privately; respected for her arts contributions |
Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and philanthropist who has spent decades working in the performing arts — designing for theatre productions and supporting arts programs across the country. While many recognize her as Morgan Freeman’s former wife, she’s built an extensive career of her own, earning respect from theatres, museums, universities, and arts organizations for both her creative skill and her dedication to the field.
She gained wider public recognition after marrying Freeman in 1984, regularly accompanying him to public events during their marriage while remaining focused primarily on her own work rather than seeking attention herself.
Her Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in the United States and developed a strong interest in art and design from a young age, though she’s kept much of her personal early life private. She pursued a degree in art education during college, laying the groundwork for the advanced training that followed.
She went on to study scene painting and stage properties at Brooklyn College in New York, later earning a master’s degree in scenic and costume design from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980. That combination of formal education gave her a strong foundation in costume design, stage planning, and visual storytelling — skills that would define her subsequent career.
How She Built Her Career
After completing her education, Colley-Lee began working as a costume and scenic designer, building a career spanning theatre, television, and film defined by careful planning and creative vision. Much of her work took place behind the scenes, helping bring productions to life through costume and set design that supported actors and directors alike.
Her credits over the years include The Piano Lesson, Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, and Forest City, and she led the costume and wardrobe department for the 1985 documentary Frederick Douglass: An American Life. She also appeared in an early episode of 60 Minutes, though acting was never a focus of her career.
Her Love for Art and Design
Art has remained central to Myrna Colley-Lee’s life well beyond her design work. She’s also known as an art collector and curator, with much of her curatorial work celebrating African American history, culture, and creativity while bridging different artistic traditions.
Her involvement in the arts has extended to serving on several arts boards and collaborating with organizations focused on education, creativity, and cultural preservation. In 2017, she helped organize an exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Georgia centered on African American life and experience through art. She also served as a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission, supporting artists and cultural programs throughout the state — work that reflects her broader belief in art’s power to educate and connect people.
Her Marriage to Morgan Freeman
Myrna Colley-Lee met Morgan Freeman through a mutual friend, and their relationship eventually led to marriage on June 16, 1984. The couple built a relatively quiet life together in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, largely avoiding the constant public attention that might be expected given Freeman’s Hollywood stature.
Throughout their marriage, Colley-Lee regularly accompanied Freeman to movie premieres, charity events, and award ceremonies, and the two were frequently photographed together over the years. Their marriage lasted 26 years — one of Freeman’s longest relationships — and while they had no biological children together, Myrna developed close bonds with Freeman’s children from earlier relationships, becoming a meaningful presence within his extended family.
You May Also like this: Diana Lasso: Wayne Brady’s First Wife and the Limits of Her Public Record
Why They Divorced
After more than two decades together, Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman decided to end their marriage, with news of the separation becoming public in 2007 and the divorce finalized in 2010 following a lengthy legal process. Neither party shared detailed personal reasons for the split publicly.
Various news reports over the years suggested the breakup was connected to alleged affairs on Freeman’s part, though he denied those claims, and no official reason for the divorce was ever confirmed. Given their long marriage and Freeman’s prominence, the divorce drew significant media attention, with some reports speculating the settlement could have approached $100 million — a figure that has never been officially verified. Despite the marriage’s end, Colley-Lee continued living privately and remained focused on her own work.
Her Relationship With Morgan Freeman’s Children
While Myrna Colley-Lee didn’t have biological children, family remained an important part of her life throughout her marriage to Morgan Freeman. She developed close relationships with his children from previous relationships, and reports indicate she remained connected to several members of his extended family even after the divorce.
One of her closest bonds was with E’dena Hines, Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter, whom Myrna and Morgan helped raise together, making E’dena an important part of their family life. Those close to the family have consistently described Myrna as caring and supportive, someone who valued family relationships deeply and dedicated years to creating a loving home for those around her.
The Loss of E’dena Hines
In 2015, the family experienced a devastating loss when E’dena Hines was killed in New York, stabbed by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport, during a violent incident. The case drew national attention given Freeman’s fame, and during the court proceedings, Davenport’s mother made serious accusations against Morgan Freeman, which he strongly denied and called false — allegations that were never proven.
The tragedy deeply affected everyone close to E’dena, including Myrna, who reportedly visited the apartment where the incident occurred — a reflection of how much she cared for the young woman she had helped raise. It remains one of the most painful chapters connected to the family’s history, underscoring just how central E’dena had been to Myrna’s life.
Her Philanthropy and Community Work
Beyond her design career, Myrna Colley-Lee has spent many years supporting education, culture, and the arts, driven by a belief that creative work can bring people together and help preserve important histories.
Her tenure as a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission allowed her to support artists and strengthen arts education across the state, while her particular interest in African American history and culture shaped projects like the 2017 Columbus Museum exhibition in Georgia. That sustained community work has earned her respect from artists, museums, and cultural organizations well beyond the visibility that came from her marriage.
Where Is She Now?
In recent years, Myrna Colley-Lee has maintained a distinctly private life, rarely giving interviews or appearing in media coverage. Though no longer married to Morgan Freeman, she remains recognized for her substantial body of work in theatre, design, and the broader arts community.
She’s believed to remain engaged with museums, cultural events, and community programs celebrating art and history, even as she keeps most personal details out of public view. Continued interest in her reflects genuine appreciation for her own accomplishments — separate from her connection to a famous name.
Final Thoughts
Myrna Colley-Lee’s story extends well beyond her identity as Morgan Freeman’s former wife. She built a respected career as a costume designer, scenic designer, and arts curator both before and after her marriage, contributing meaningfully to theatres, museums, and cultural organizations across the country. While her marriage and divorce brought considerable public attention, her lasting legacy rests on decades of creative work and genuine dedication to preserving and celebrating art — work that continues to be recognized by those who value her contributions to American culture.
FAQs About Myrna Colley-Lee
Who is Myrna Colley-Lee?
She’s an American costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and philanthropist, also known as the former wife of actor Morgan Freeman.
Is Myrna Colley-Lee still married to Morgan Freeman?
No — they divorced in 2010 after 26 years of marriage.
What is Myrna Colley-Lee known for?
Her work in theatre and costume design, scenic design, art curation, and support for arts and cultural organizations.
What is Myrna Colley-Lee doing now?
She lives privately, staying largely out of the public eye while remaining recognized for her long career in the arts and ongoing support for cultural projects.
