Many people know Myrna Colley-Lee because she was married to Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. However, there is much more to her story than that. She has built a respected career as a costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and supporter of the arts.
For many years, Myrna Colley-Lee worked behind the scenes in theatre, television, and film. She also spent decades helping museums, artists, and cultural groups through her creative work and community service. Her passion for art has shaped much of her life.
In this article, you’ll learn about Myrna Colley-Lee’s early life, education, career, marriage to Morgan Freeman, family life, and the work that made her well known beyond Hollywood. We’ll also look at her contributions to the arts and the events that brought her into the public eye.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Quick Bio
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
| Known For | Costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, philanthropist, and former wife of Morgan Freeman |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | United States (exact birthplace not widely confirmed) |
| Profession | Costume Designer, Scenic Designer, Art Curator, Philanthropist |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Art Education; studied Scene Painting and Properties at Brooklyn College; Master’s degree in Scenic and Costume Design from Temple University |
| Famous For | Theatre design, arts advocacy, and marriage to Morgan Freeman |
| Former Husband | Morgan Freeman (m. 1984; div. 2010) |
| Marriage Date | June 16, 1984 |
| Divorce | 2010 |
| Children | No biological children |
| Known Family Connection | Helped raise Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter, E’dena Hines |
| Career Highlights | Worked on The Piano Lesson, Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, Forest City, and Frederick Douglass: An American Life (1985) |
| Arts Leadership | Former Commissioner, Mississippi Arts Commission |
| Philanthropy | Supports arts education, museums, and cultural organizations |
| Current Status | Lives a private life and remains respected for her contributions to the arts |
Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and philanthropist. She has spent many years working in the performing arts, creating stage designs and costumes for theatre productions and supporting art programs across the United States.
Although many people recognize her as Morgan Freeman’s former wife, Myrna Colley-Lee has her own long list of achievements. She has worked with theatres, museums, universities, and arts organizations, earning respect for both her creative talent and her commitment to the arts.
She became more widely known after marrying Morgan Freeman in 1984. During their marriage, the couple attended many public events together, but Myrna mostly stayed focused on her own work rather than seeking the spotlight.
Today, she is remembered not only for her connection to the famous actor but also for her work as an artist, designer, and supporter of African American art and culture.
Myrna’s Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in the United States and grew up with a strong interest in art and creativity. While she has kept much of her early personal life private, it is clear that her love for design began at a young age.
She studied art education during college and continued building her skills through advanced training. Her education helped her develop the knowledge needed for a successful career in theatre and design.
She later studied scene painting and stage properties at Brooklyn College in New York. Wanting to learn even more, she earned a master’s degree in scenic and costume design from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980.
These years of study gave Myrna Colley-Lee a strong foundation in costume design, stage planning, and visual storytelling. The experience she gained in school prepared her for the creative work that followed.
How She Built Her Career
After finishing her education, Myrna Colley-Lee began working as a costume and scenic designer. She built a career that covered theatre, television, and film, becoming known for careful planning and creative design.
Much of her work took place behind the scenes, where she helped bring stories to life through costumes and stage settings. Her work supported actors and directors by creating the right look and feel for each production.
Over the years, she worked on several well-known productions. Her credits include The Piano Lesson, Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, and Forest City. She also led the costume and wardrobe department for the 1985 documentary Frederick Douglass: An American Life.
Myrna Colley-Lee also appeared in an early episode of 60 Minutes. While acting was never her main career, the appearance remains one of the public records connected to her professional life.
Her career earned respect because she focused on quality work instead of public attention. Even though many people know her because of Morgan Freeman, professionals in the arts know her for her own creative achievements.
Her Love for Art and Design
Art has always been at the center of Myrna Colley-Lee’s life. Besides designing costumes and stage sets, she has spent years supporting artists and helping museums share important stories through exhibitions.
She is also known as an art collector and curator. Her work often celebrates African American history, culture, and creativity while bringing different artistic traditions together.
Her interest in the arts goes beyond creating beautiful designs. She has served on several arts boards and worked with organizations that encourage education, creativity, and cultural preservation.
One of her well-known projects came in 2017, when she helped organize an exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Georgia that focused on African American life and experiences through art.
She also served as a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission, where she helped support artists and arts programs across the state. Her work has shown that she believes art can educate, connect people, and preserve history.
Myrna’s Marriage to Morgan Freeman
Myrna Colley-Lee met Morgan Freeman through a mutual friend before they married. Their relationship grew over time, and they were married on June 16, 1984.
After getting married, they built a quiet life together in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Although Morgan Freeman was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, the couple often stayed away from constant public attention and enjoyed a more private lifestyle.
During their marriage, Myrna Colley-Lee regularly accompanied Freeman to movie premieres, charity events, award ceremonies, and public celebrations. They were often photographed together and appeared to share a strong partnership for many years.
Their marriage lasted for 26 years, making it one of Freeman’s longest relationships. While they had no children together, Myrna became close to Morgan Freeman’s children from earlier relationships and developed a warm bond with his extended family.
She was especially close to E’dena Hines, Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter, whom the family helped raise. Myrna was known for caring deeply about the people closest to her and remained an important part of the family’s life for many years.
Despite their eventual separation, Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman shared many important years together. Their relationship became one of the most talked-about parts of her public life, setting the stage for the next chapter of her story.
Why Did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman Divorce?
After more than two decades together, Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman decided to end their marriage. News of their separation became public in 2007, and their divorce was finalized in 2010 after a long legal process.
Neither Myrna nor Morgan shared many personal details about why the marriage ended. Over the years, several news reports claimed that the breakup was linked to Morgan Freeman’s alleged affairs. However, Freeman denied those claims, and no official reason for the divorce was ever confirmed.
Because of their long marriage and Freeman’s success in Hollywood, the divorce received a great deal of media attention. Some reports even claimed the settlement could have been worth close to $100 million. However, that figure has never been officially confirmed.
Although the marriage ended, Myrna Colley-Lee continued to live a private life and stayed focused on her work. The divorce marked the end of their relationship as husband and wife, but it did not define her life or career.
Family and Relationship with Morgan Freeman’s Children
Myrna Colley-Lee did not have biological children. Even so, family played an important role in her life during her marriage to Morgan Freeman.
She developed close relationships with Morgan Freeman’s children from his previous relationships. According to reports, she also remained close to several members of his extended family even after the divorce.
One of the closest family bonds she shared was with E’dena Hines, Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter. Myrna and Morgan helped raise E’dena, and she became an important part of their family life.
Friends and people close to the family often described Myrna as caring and supportive. She valued family relationships and spent many years helping create a loving home for those around her.
The Tragic Loss of E’dena Hines
In 2015, the family experienced a heartbreaking loss when E’dena Hines was killed in New York. She died after being stabbed by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport, during a violent incident.
The case received national attention because of Freeman’s fame. During the court proceedings, Davenport’s mother made serious accusations against Morgan Freeman. Freeman strongly denied those claims and called them false. The allegations were never proven.
The tragedy deeply affected everyone who knew E’dena. Reports said Myrna Colley-Lee visited the apartment where the incident happened, showing how much she cared for the young woman she had helped raise.
While the event became widely reported, it remains one of the most difficult chapters connected to the family’s story. It also showed the close bond Myrna shared with E’dena throughout her life.
Philanthropy and Community Work
Beyond her work as a designer, Myrna Colley-Lee has spent many years supporting education, culture, and the arts. She believes creative work can help bring people together and preserve important stories.
She has worked with several organizations that promote art and learning. Her community work includes support for the Mississippi State University Department of Art and the Rock River Foundation, where she has given both her time and experience.
Myrna also served as a commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission. In that role, she supported artists, encouraged arts education, and helped strengthen cultural programs across the state.
Her interest in African American history and culture has also shaped her work. In 2017, she helped organize an exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Georgia that celebrated African American life through art.
Her work in the community has earned respect from artists, museums, and cultural groups. Even away from the public eye, she has continued to support projects that encourage creativity and education.
Where Is Myrna Colley-Lee Now?
In recent years, Myrna Colley-Lee has chosen to keep a very private life. Unlike many people connected to Hollywood, she rarely gives interviews or appears in the media.
Although she is no longer married to Morgan Freeman, she remains known for her years of work in theatre, design, and the arts. Her contributions continue to be remembered by people who follow the creative world.
She is also believed to remain interested in museums, cultural events, and community programs that celebrate art and history. However, she keeps most of her personal life out of public view.
Today, many people continue searching for Myrna Colley-Lee because they want to learn about the talented woman behind the famous name. Her own achievements remain an important part of her story.
Bottom Line
Myrna Colley-Lee is much more than Morgan Freeman’s former wife. She built a successful career as a costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and supporter of the arts long before and after her marriage. Her work has helped theatres, museums, and cultural groups across the United States.
While her marriage and divorce brought public attention, her lasting legacy comes from her creativity, education, and dedication to the arts. As of 2026, Myrna Colley-Lee remains a respected figure whose contributions continue to be appreciated by those who value art, culture, and community service.
(FAQs)
Who is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer, scenic designer, art curator, and philanthropist. She is also widely known as the former wife of actor Morgan Freeman.
Is Myrna Colley-Lee still married to Morgan Freeman?
No. Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman divorced in 2010 after being married for 26 years.
What is Myrna Colley-Lee known for?
She is known for her work in theatre design, costume design, scenic design, art curation, and her support of arts and cultural organizations.
Why did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman divorce?
The couple never publicly shared an official reason. Media reports suggested different causes, including rumors of infidelity, but Morgan Freeman denied those claims, and no official explanation was confirmed.
What is Myrna Colley-Lee doing now?
She lives a private life and stays largely out of the public spotlight. She continues to be remembered for her long career in the arts and her support for cultural and community projects.
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