Myrna Colley-Lee is known as Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife. But she has her own story to tell. She is a costume designer who has worked in theater for many years. Her work has helped many actors look right for their roles.
She married Morgan Freeman in 1984. They stayed married for 26 years before their divorce in 2010. During this time, Myrna worked hard to build her own career. She loved art and spent much of her life doing creative work.
Many people now want to know about her life in 2026. Where is she today? What happened after her divorce? Let’s learn about her childhood, school life, career, and marriage to Morgan Freeman.
Myrna Colley-Lee Quick Bio
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
| Birth Year | 1941 |
| Age | 85 in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Hamlet, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Costume and set designer |
| Education | UNC, Brooklyn College, Temple University |
| Famous For | Costume design, Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife |
| Ex-Husband | Morgan Freeman |
| Married | June 16, 1984 |
| Separated | December 2007 |
| Divorced | September 2010 |
| Children | No biological children |
| Raised | E’dena Hines |
| Parents | Not publicly known |
| Net Worth | Not confirmed |
| Career Start | Late 1960s |
| Major Work | The Piano Lesson, Fences |
| Award | 2022 Governor’s Arts Award |
| Residence | Longtime ties to Mississippi |
| Status | Alive as of 2026 |
Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer. She also works with stage sets and art. She became famous as the second wife of actor Morgan Freeman. But she had her own career long before many people knew her name.
She has made clothes for actors in many stage shows. These clothes help actors look like the people they play. Her work has been seen in theaters across America. She has also helped art groups and young artists.
Myrna likes to keep her personal life private. She does not share much about herself with the public. Still, her long career has made her a respected name in the world of theater and art.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Early Life
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in 1941 in Hamlet, North Carolina. She is 85 years old in 2026. Some websites say her birthday is September 16, but this date has not been fully confirmed.
She grew up in North Carolina. There is little public news about her parents and siblings. She has never shared many details about her childhood. However, art became a big part of her life as she grew older.
Life was not always easy for Black women during those years. Many had fewer chances to study and find good jobs. Myrna went on to study art and build a career. Her story shows the value of learning and hard work.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Education
Myrna Colley-Lee went to the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina. She studied art and earned a degree in art education. This helped her learn how to draw, design, and teach art.
She later went to Brooklyn College in New York. There, she learned how to paint stage scenes and make items used in plays. These skills helped her learn how to make a stage look real.
In 1980, she earned a master’s degree from Temple University. She studied stage and costume design. Her time at school helped her become a skilled designer. She was ready to turn her love for art into a job.
How Myrna Colley-Lee Started Her Career
Myrna Colley-Lee began working in theater in the late 1960s. She first worked on art and stage projects. Later, she began making costumes for actors. She found that clothes could help tell a story.
She became part of the Black Theatre Movement. This helped Black actors and artists share their stories on stage. Myrna made costumes that matched the time and place of each play.
As the years passed, she worked with more theaters. She became known for her care and skill. Her costumes helped actors look and feel like their roles. This made her work an important part of many plays.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Movies and Theater Work
Myrna Colley-Lee has worked on many famous plays. Some include The Piano Lesson, Fences, Radio Golf, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She also worked on Forest City and Wedding Band. These plays helped show her talent.
She also worked on the 1985 film Frederick Douglass: An American Life. She helped make the clothes worn by people in the film. Her work made the story look more real.
Over the years, Myrna has designed costumes for more than 70 shows at over 50 theaters. She has worked with famous theater groups. Her work has helped many stories come alive on stage.
How Myrna Colley-Lee Met Morgan Freeman
Myrna Colley-Lee met Morgan Freeman through a friend. Reports say they met during the 1970s. They got to know each other and later fell in love. Morgan was still working to build his acting career.
The couple married on June 16, 1984. They had a small wedding with family. After their marriage, they lived in Mississippi. They enjoyed a quiet life away from Hollywood.
Myrna often went with Morgan to movie events and award shows. They shared many years together as his fame grew. But their marriage later faced problems. They separated in December 2007, and their divorce became final in September 2010.
Why Did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman Divorce?
Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman were married for many years. But their marriage came to an end after more than two decades. They separated in December 2007. Their divorce became final on September 15, 2010.
Many people wanted to know why they broke up. Some news reports claimed Morgan had been unfaithful. However, he denied these claims. The couple never shared a clear reason for their split. Much of their private life stayed out of public view.
Their divorce received a lot of attention because Morgan was a famous actor. Reports also claimed that Myrna received a large amount of money. But the court kept the money details private. The true amount has never been confirmed.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Children and Family
Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman did not have children together. However, Morgan had four children from earlier relationships. Their names are Alfonso, Saifoulaye, Deena, and Morgana. Myrna became part of their family during her marriage.
She also helped raise Morgan’s step-granddaughter, E’dena Hines. E’dena was Deena’s daughter. Myrna cared for her from a young age. In a 1988 interview, she shared how happy she was to have the chance to raise a child.
Sadly, E’dena died in New York in August 2015. She was only 33 years old. Her boyfriend was later found guilty in her death. It was a painful loss for the family. Myrna had shared many years of her life with E’dena.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Net Worth and Divorce Settlement
Myrna Colley-Lee has earned money through her long career in art and theater. She has worked as a costume designer and art director. She has also helped with stage sets and other creative projects for many years.
Some websites claim her net worth is around $160 million. Others give much lower amounts, such as $5 million. These numbers have not been confirmed. There are no clear public records that show her exact wealth in 2026.
Her divorce from Morgan Freeman also led to many money rumors. Some reports claimed the settlement was worth $100 million or more. But the court kept the details private. No exact amount has been proven, so these figures remain guesses.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Art and Charity Work
Myrna Colley-Lee has always loved art. Her work goes beyond making costumes for plays. She also collects art and helps museums share the work of Black artists. She wants people to learn about history through art.
One of her art shows was called Reflections: African American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection. It showed paintings, photos, and other works of art. The show helped people learn about Black life and culture in America.
She has also helped the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Rock River Foundation. These groups support art and local communities. Myrna has given her time to help others learn and grow. Her work shows how much she cares about art.
Myrna Colley-Lee’s Awards and Success
Myrna Colley-Lee has received many honors for her work. She has spent decades making costumes and helping theaters. Her designs have been used in more than 70 stage shows. This has made her a respected name in American theater.
In 2007, Mississippi State University gave her an honorary degree. This was a special way to thank her for her work in art. She also gave many costumes and old clothes to the university for students to study.
In 2022, she received a Mississippi Governor’s Arts Award. The award honored her costume design and her help with art programs. These honors show that her success came from years of hard work, not just her famous marriage.
Where Is Myrna Colley-Lee Today in 2026?
Many people wonder where Myrna Colley-Lee is today. She has lived in Charleston, Mississippi, for many years. However, her exact home in 2026 has not been made public. She likes to keep her daily life private.
She does not often appear at movie events or give public interviews. There is also little clear news about her current love life. Since her divorce from Morgan Freeman, she has kept much of her personal life away from the media.
Still, her work has not been forgotten. Her costumes and art collection remain important to students and art lovers. In 2026, Myrna is best known for her long career and her support for the arts. Her story continues to interest many readers.
Final Thoughts
Myrna Colley-Lee has lived a life filled with art and hard work. Many people first heard her name because of Morgan Freeman. But she had her own dreams and worked for years to make them come true.
Her marriage ended in 2010, but her career gave her a name of her own. She helped bring stage stories to life through costumes. She also helped young artists and supported art groups across America.
Today, Myrna Colley-Lee lives away from much of the public spotlight. Her work still matters to the world of theater and art. Her story shows that a person can build a lasting name through skill, care, and hard work.
(FAQs)
How Old Is Myrna Colley-Lee, and When Is Her Birthday?
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in 1941 in North Carolina. She is 85 years old in 2026. Some websites say her birthday is September 16, but this date is not fully confirmed.
Does Myrna Colley-Lee Have Any Children or Kids?
Myrna has no known children of her own. But she helped raise Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter, E’dena Hines. Sadly, E’dena died in 2015 at age 33.
Is Myrna Colley-Lee Still Alive in 2026?
Yes, there are no confirmed reports that Myrna Colley-Lee has died. She lives a quiet life and does not share much about herself with the public.
Why Did Myrna Colley-Lee Divorce Morgan Freeman?
Myrna and Morgan Freeman separated in 2007. Their divorce ended in 2010. Some reports claimed Morgan had affairs, but the real reason for their split was never confirmed.
What Is Myrna Colley-Lee’s Net Worth, and Who Are Her Parents?
Some websites claim Myrna is worth $160 million, but there is no proof. Her parents’ names are also not known to the public. She keeps her family life private.
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