Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee? The Private Life and Career of Morgan Freeman’s Ex-Wife

When people hear the name Myrna Colley-Lee, many think of her as the ex-wife of the famous actor Morgan Freeman. But Myrna is so much more than that. She has her own story, her own career, and a peaceful life filled with creativity, kindness, and purpose.

Myrna Colley-Lee is a talented costume designer, a quiet art lover, and someone who has spent many years helping her community. Even though she has been through ups and downs, she has always stayed strong and kind.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Myrna’s early life, her career in the arts, her marriage to Morgan Freeman, and what happened after their divorce. Let’s start at the very beginning.

Myrna Colley-Lee Quick Bio

Myrna Colley-Lee’s Early Life

Myrna Colley-Lee was born on January 1, 1941, in Hamlet, North Carolina. She grew up in a simple and loving family. From a young age, she loved to draw, paint, and play with colors. She was the kind of child who enjoyed making beautiful things and imagining new worlds.

Her interest in art stayed with her as she grew older. Myrna wasn’t just creative—she was also curious and smart. She wanted to learn more about the things she loved. So, she decided to study art and design. This was just the beginning of her exciting journey.

Have you ever met someone who just knows what they’re meant to do in life? Myrna was one of those people.

Myrna Colley-Lee’s Education Journey

Myrna went to college at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. She didn’t stop there. She wanted to know more about theater and how to design costumes that bring stories to life.

Later, she took special classes in scene painting at Brooklyn College in New York. But the biggest step came in 1980, when she earned a Master’s degree in Scenic and Costume Design from Temple University in Philadelphia. This was a big achievement and gave her all the tools she needed to become a great designer.

All her school years helped shape her into the creative and thoughtful artist she is today. Her education wasn’t just about getting good grades—it was about building a life around her passion for art and storytelling.

How Myrna Colley-Lee Became a Costume Designer

After finishing school, Myrna Colley-Lee started her career as a costume designer. Her job was to design clothing for actors in plays, films, and TV shows. These weren’t just regular clothes—they helped tell the story and show the personality of each character.

She worked on many big and meaningful productions. Some of her most famous works include:

• The Piano Lesson

• Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White

• Forest City

In each project, Myrna paid close attention to details. She picked the right fabrics, colors, and designs to fit the time, mood, and meaning of the story. People in the theater world loved her work. Her designs were powerful, creative, and full of heart.

Costume design is like silent storytelling, and Myrna is one of the best at it.

Her Success Beyond Costumes

Myrna didn’t stop with costume design. She also worked in set design, art direction, and even interior design for top companies. She became a well-rounded artist, using her talent in many ways.

She was also part of several art exhibitions, where her work was shown to the public. One of her most famous exhibits is called “GladRags”, which displayed her costume sketches and designs. Another important one is “Reflections: The Theatre of Color”, which celebrated costumes in Black theater.

Myrna was known as a leader in the Black Theatre Movement. She also gave back by teaching and mentoring young artists, showing them how to turn their dreams into a career—just like she did.

Her work has helped many people feel seen and heard on stage and in the arts world.

Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman’s Love Story

Myrna met Morgan Freeman through mutual friends. They connected quickly and decided to take the next step. On June 16, 1984, they got married in a quiet and private ceremony.

The couple chose to live far away from the noise of Hollywood. They moved to Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, where life was slower and more peaceful. Together, they enjoyed reading, gardening, and spending time with family.

Even though they didn’t have children of their own, they adopted E’Dena Hines, Morgan’s step-granddaughter from a previous relationship. They raised E’Dena as their daughter and provided her with love, care, and support. The three of them shared many happy years as a close family.

For a long time, Myrna and Morgan were seen as a strong couple—quiet, private, but deeply connected.

Their Divorce and the Big Settlement

Sadly, after more than 26 years of marriage, things began to fall apart. In 2007, Myrna filed for divorce, and it was finalized in September 2010.

While they never shared full details, many reports said Morgan was involved in multiple affairs, including one that came out after a car accident he had in 2008 with another woman in the car. Rumors even spread about other possible affairs, but both Myrna and Morgan mostly stayed quiet in public.

The divorce was one of the most expensive in Hollywood. Myrna reportedly received a settlement between $100 million and $400 million, including homes in New York City, Los Angeles, and the British Virgin Islands.

It was a tough time, but Myrna handled it with grace. She didn’t try to seek attention. Instead, she quietly stepped away and began a new chapter in her life.

Myrna Colley-Lee’s Life After Divorce

After her divorce from Morgan Freeman in 2010, Myrna Colley-Lee stepped away from the public spotlight. She didn’t go on TV, she didn’t give interviews, and she didn’t talk about the divorce in public. Instead, she chose peace.

Myrna focused on her own happiness. She returned to the things she truly loved—art, community, and quiet living. Even though her marriage ended, she stayed connected with Morgan Freeman’s family. She still cared about the people she had grown close to over the years.

Many people admired how Myrna handled everything. She didn’t seek fame. She didn’t try to prove anything. She simply lived her life with dignity.

Myrna Colley-Lee’s Net Worth and Homes

Because of her hard work and the divorce settlement, Myrna Colley-Lee’s net worth is very high. In 2024, her estimated net worth is around $180 million. Some reports even say it could be more.

She received several homes in the divorce, including:

• A beautiful house in the British Virgin Islands

• A quiet property in Los Angeles

• An apartment near Central Park in New York City

But Myrna didn’t just rely on divorce money. She earned much of her wealth from her long career in costume and set design, art direction, and creative work in the theater world. Myrna built a life of success on her own terms.

Charity Work and Giving Back

Myrna Colley-Lee is also known for her kindness and generous heart. She gives time, energy, and money to help others—especially in the arts.

She works with:

• The Rock River Foundation – supports the arts in Mississippi

• The Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE)

• The Mississippi State University Department of Art

Myrna has also helped organize art exhibits and community events, giving young artists a chance to grow. Her work helps bring beauty, hope, and creativity to places that need it most.

Even though she doesn’t post online or give interviews, her actions speak loudly.

Her Hobbies and Favorite Things

When she’s not working on art or helping the community, Myrna enjoys simple things. Her hobbies show how peaceful and creative her life is now.

Some of her favorite things include:

• Gardening – She loves planting flowers and watching them grow

• Reading – She enjoys books about history, travel, and adventure

• Theater – She still goes to plays and supports live performances

• Travel – She enjoys seeing new places and meeting new people

• Museums – Art museums are one of her favorite places to relax and explore

Myrna also loves bright colors, which show up in her clothing, her home décor, and her artwork. Her world is full of light and beauty.

How Old Is Myrna Colley-Lee Today?

Myrna Colley-Lee was born on January 1, 1941, which makes her 83 years old as of 2024. She’s still healthy, active, and full of life.

She is African-American, holds American nationality, and follows the Christian faith. Her graceful aging is a reminder that peace, purpose, and creativity can keep someone young at heart.

Even though she’s older now, Myrna continues to live with quiet confidence. She shows us that age is just a number when you love what you do.

Where Is Myrna Colley-Lee Now?

Today, Myrna lives in Charleston, Mississippi. She enjoys her quiet home, spends time in her garden, and visits art galleries when she can. She also spends time in her homes in New York and the British Virgin Islands.

She avoids the media but is still involved in charity work, art projects, and community events. There are even rumors that she’s writing an anthology or book about her life, especially her time as Morgan Freeman’s wife.

Even though she is no longer in the spotlight, Myrna Colley-Lee’s life is full of meaning, beauty, and kindness.

Final Thoughts

Myrna Colley-Lee is not just “Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife.” She is an artist, a giver, and a woman with her own powerful story. From her early days in North Carolina to her big life in the world of art and theater, she has made a real difference.

She has shown the world that you can live a meaningful life without seeking attention. You can be quiet, strong, creative, and kind—and still inspire many.

Myrna Colley-Lee continues to be a shining example of what it means to live with grace, passion, and purpose.

(FAQs)

How much money does Myrna Colley-Lee have in 2025?

Myrna is worth around $180 million. Most of it came from her divorce from Morgan Freeman. It was one of the biggest divorce settlements ever.

Why did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman get divorced?

They split in 2010 after being married for 26 years. There were reports that Morgan had been unfaithful, which may have led to the breakup.

Did Myrna Colley-Lee have any children?

Myrna didn’t have kids of her own, but she and Morgan raised his step-granddaughter E’Dena Hines like their daughter.

How old is Myrna Colley-Lee now?

She was born on January 1, 1941, so she is 84 years old in 2025. She still looks great and lives a healthy life.

What is Myrna Colley-Lee doing now?

Myrna lives a calm life in Mississippi. She spends time gardening, reading, and helping with art and charity work. She stays away from the spotlight.