Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer who has worked in theatre since the late 1960s. Many people know her as Morgan Freeman’s former wife, but she built a long career of her own. She remains active in arts philanthropy today.
Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, in 1941. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina. She then completed a Master’s degree in scenic and costume design at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Early Jobs and Time in Liberia
Before committing fully to costume design, she worked as an art supervisor with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina. She also served as a social worker. She spent a significant period in Liberia, West Africa, where she caught malaria while living abroad.
A Leading Voice in Black Theatre
Colley-Lee is widely recognised as a key costume designer in the Black Theatre Movement. She began designing in the late 1960s, and her credits now span more than five decades. She has created costumes and scenic concepts for over 70 productions at more than 50 venues.
Notable Stage Productions
Her costume credits include The Piano Lesson, Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Two Trains Running, Radio Golf and Ain’t Misbehavin’. She has worked with the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse and St. Louis Repertory Theatre.
Screen Work and Exhibitions
On screen, she led the costume and wardrobe department for Frederick Douglass: An American Life in 1985. She also appeared on 60 Minutes. She has worked on her largest exhibition to date, titled A Theatre of Color: Costume Design for the Black Theatre by Myrna Colley-Lee.
Teaching, Boards and Public Service
She has held roles at Smith College, the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival and the Design and Management Institute of the National Arts Consortium. She is a Commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission and serves on the boards of the Charleston Arts Revitalization Effort and the Rock River Foundation.
How She Met Morgan Freeman
Myrna and Morgan Freeman first met during an off-Broadway play in 1976. At that time, Freeman was struggling with alcohol and problems in his first marriage. The first impression was not a fairy tale, but their bond grew steadily over the following years.
Wedding and Life in Mississippi
The couple married on 16 June 1984 at the home of Freeman’s parents, off Highway 35 northwest of Charleston. They lived quietly away from Hollywood. They spent most of their time in Tallahatchie County in northern Mississippi, where Freeman owns a home.
Separation and Divorce Timeline
News of their separation emerged in December 2007, after more than two decades of marriage. A divorce petition was filed in July 2008, and the proceedings were sealed. The divorce was finalised on 15 September 2010 without a trial. Neither side publicly confirmed the reasons.
Children and Family Ties
The couple had no biological children together, and Colley-Lee has none of her own. She was close to Freeman’s children from his other relationships. She was particularly close to E’dena Hines, Freeman’s step-granddaughter.
Net Worth and Art Collection
Court records were sealed, so her exact net worth is unconfirmed. Some websites estimate it near $160 million, but this figure is unverified. Her collection, Reflections, features 50 works, including pieces by Romare Bearden, James Van Der Zee and Betye Saar.
Conclusion
Myrna Colley-Lee built a distinguished career in costume and scenic design that stands apart from her marriage to Morgan Freeman. Her theatre work and her support for African American culture and the arts have created a legacy of her own. She keeps a private public profile.
FAQs
1. When did Myrna Colley-Lee marry Morgan Freeman?
They married on 16 June 1984.
2. Why did Myrna Colley-Lee and Morgan Freeman divorce?
The reasons were never officially disclosed, and the court proceedings were sealed. Tabloids speculated, but neither side publicly confirmed any specific cause.
3. How old is Myrna Colley-Lee?
She was born in 1941 in Hamlet, North Carolina, which makes her about 85 in 2026. Her exact birth date is not uniformly confirmed.
4. What is Myrna Colley-Lee known for?
She is known as a costume designer and a key figure in the Black Theatre Movement, with work on more than 70 productions.
5. What is Myrna Colley-Lee’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is unconfirmed. Some websites estimate it at around $160 million, but this figure is unverified.
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