Myrna Colley-Lee is a theater costume designer, philanthropist, and arts patron. However, she is most famous as the ex-wife of the “Shawshank Redemption” actor Morgan Freeman. Although she became a celebrity spouse, Colley-Lee’s renderings, collages, and costumes have graced several exhibitions nationwide. In addition, she was a designer during the Black Movement in the 1960s.
Consequently, many still regard her as one of the foremost costume designers in the Black Theater Movement. Aside from being an award-winning designer, Morgan Freeman’s wife is an avid art collector. Although her career in the entertainment industry is successful, the same is not true of her marriage.
Myrna Colley-Lee married legendary actor Morgan Freeman in the early 1980s. While the two enjoyed a sweet marriage, things soon deteriorated, leading to their divorce. Although many are more familiar with the legendary actor, his ex-wife, Colley-Lee, has also led an exciting life in showbiz. Here’s everything we know about Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife: her life, career, marriage, and subsequent divorce.
Who Is Myrna Colley-Lee?
Myrna Colley-Lee was born to her parents in Hamlet, North Carolina, in February 1941. Despite being a celebrity spouse and an accomplished designer, Colley-Lee keeps her private life away from the media. Consequently, the identity of her parents and her exact birth date remains elusive.
However, she holds American nationality. Similarly, details about her elementary and high school education also elude the media. Nonetheless, following her high school graduation, Colley-Lee enrolled at the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art education.
Afterward, Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife studied scene painting and properties at Brooklyn College, New York. In addition, Colley-Lee attended Temple University, Philadelphia, where she got her master’s degree in scenic and costume design in 1980.
What Does Myrna Colley-Lee Do?
After completing her education and obtaining exceptional grades, Myrna Colley-Lee became a costume designer. She created an excellent career as a costume and set designer for numerous productions. According to reports, Colley-Lee worked for TV, films, and even theatrical productions, designing costumes.
The legendary actor’s ex-wife is renowned for the 1985 documentary “Frederick Douglass: An American Life,” where she headed the costume and wardrobe department. In addition, Colley-Lee appeared in an episode of “60 Minutes” in 1968. However, aside from being a successful designer, Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife is also an art enthusiast.
Colley-Lee’s love for the arts has seen her serving on various boards that seek to preserve the love and future of the arts. She once served as the commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission. In addition, Colley-Lee helped organize an art gallery that focused on Afro-American lives at the Columbus Museum in Georgia in 2017.
More so, Morgan Freeman’s ex-wife is also a philanthropist. The 82-year-old North Carolina native is an active philanthropist who loves to give her time to worthy causes. The former celebrity spouse offers her energy and time to organizations such as The Mississippi State University Department of Art and The Rock River Foundation.
