Myrna Colley-Lee is a talented costume designer who spent many years creating beautiful clothes for theater shows and movies. While many people know her as Morgan Freeman’s former wife, she has her own amazing story to tell. Her life shows how one person can make a difference through art, hard work, and helping others.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Myrna Colley-Lee |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1941 |
| Birthplace | Hamlet, North Carolina, USA |
| Age | 83 years old (as of 2024) |
| Profession | Costume Designer, Art Director |
| Education | BFA from University of North Carolina, MFA from Temple University |
| Famous For | Costume design and marriage to Morgan Freeman |
| Marriage | Morgan Freeman (1984-2010) |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $160 million |
Early Life and Education
Myrna Colley-Lee was born in 1941 in Hamlet, a small town in North Carolina. She grew up during a time when it was difficult for African-American women to work in the arts. However, Myrna had big dreams and loved colors, drawing, and creating beautiful things from a young age.
She went to the University of North Carolina and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She then moved to Brooklyn College in New York to study scene painting. Later, she completed her master’s degree in scenic and costume design at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980.
Career as a Costume Designer
Myrna Colley-Lee’s career in costume design began in the late 1960s. She became one of the most important costume designers in the Black Theatre Movement, when African-American artists were creating plays that told their own stories.
Her job was to design the clothes that actors wore on stage. She would draw pictures of the costumes first, then make them real by choosing fabrics, colors, and styles. Each costume helped tell the story and bring the characters to life.
Over her career, Myrna worked on more than 70 theater productions. Some of her famous work includes plays like “The Piano Lesson,” “Forest City,” “Wedding Band,” “Fences,” and “Radio Golf.” She also worked on “Frederick Douglass: An American Life” in 1985.
Myrna’s designs were special because they showed African-American culture in an honest and beautiful way. She understood how clothes could tell stories about people’s lives and their history. She also worked in television, appearing in the costume department for the “60 Minutes” TV show.
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Awards and Recognition
Myrna’s excellent work has earned her many awards. In 2022, she received the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in Costume Design. She also received the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Mississippi State University. The National Black Theatre Festival gave her an Outstanding Costume Design Award.
Marriage to Morgan Freeman
Myrna Colley-Lee met Morgan Freeman through a mutual friend. They dated and fell in love. On June 16, 1984, they got married in a small, private ceremony. This was Myrna’s first marriage, but Morgan’s second.
After their wedding, they moved to Tallahatchie County in northern Mississippi for a quiet life away from Hollywood. The couple never had biological children, but they raised Morgan’s children from his previous relationships. They also adopted Morgan’s step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines, and raised her as their own daughter. Sadly, E’Dena died in 2015 at age 33.
Their marriage lasted 26 years. However, they separated in December 2007 because Morgan had relationships with other women during their marriage. Myrna filed for divorce in July 2008, and it was finalized in September 2010.
The divorce settlement was one of the largest in Hollywood history. Reports say Myrna received between $100 million and $400 million, though the exact amount was kept private.
Life After Divorce
After her divorce, Myrna focused on her work and helping others. She continued designing costumes for theater productions and became more active in community projects.
Myrna has a special love for African-American art and spent years collecting beautiful artwork. In 2017, she helped create a special art exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Georgia called “Reflections: African American Life From The Myrna Colley-Lee Collection.”
Philanthropy and Community Work
Myrna believes in giving back to her community. She is a commissioner for the Missouri Art Commission, which gives money to art programs in Mississippi. She works with organizations like the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort, Rock River Foundation, and Mississippi State University Department of Art.
Myrna co-founded the SonEdna Foundation, which supports writing and literature in the Mississippi Delta region. She is also a member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Her work focuses on helping young people learn about art and culture, especially in African-American communities.
Personal Life Today
Myrna Colley-Lee is now 83 years old and lives a quiet, private life. She stays away from social media and doesn’t share much about her daily activities. She still maintains a friendly relationship with Morgan Freeman’s children, even after the divorce. This shows her kind heart and her commitment to the family she helped raise.
Conclusion
Myrna Colley-Lee’s life is a story of talent, strength, and giving back. From her early days in North Carolina to becoming one of the most respected costume designers in American theater, she has shown what hard work can achieve. Her marriage to Morgan Freeman brought her fame, but her own achievements in costume design, art collection, and community service have created a lasting impact. Today, Myrna continues to be an important figure in the arts world, reminding us that creativity and helping others are what truly matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Myrna Colley-Lee? Myrna Colley-Lee is an American costume designer and art collector. She is also known as the ex-wife of actor Morgan Freeman.
2. How old is Myrna Colley-Lee? She was born in 1941, making her 83 years old as of 2024.
3. What does Myrna Colley-Lee do for work? She is a professional costume designer who creates clothes for theater productions. She has worked on more than 70 different shows.
4. When did Myrna Colley-Lee marry Morgan Freeman? They got married on June 16, 1984, in a small private ceremony.
5. How long were Myrna and Morgan Freeman married? They were married for 26 years before separating in 2007. Their divorce was finalized in 2010.
6. Does Myrna Colley-Lee have children? She and Morgan Freeman did not have biological children together, but they adopted and raised Morgan’s step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines.
7. What is Myrna Colley-Lee’s net worth? Her estimated net worth is around $160 million, largely from her successful career and divorce settlement.
8. What awards has Myrna Colley-Lee won? She has won several awards, including the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in Costume Design in 2022 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.
9. Where did Myrna Colley-Lee study? She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina and her master’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia.
10. Is Myrna Colley-Lee active on social media? No, Myrna prefers to keep her life private and does not use social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter.
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