Jeanette Adair Bradshaw: Morgan Freeman’s First Wife

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw is best known as Morgan Freeman’s first wife. They married in 1967 when Freeman was still a struggling actor. Together for 12 years, they raised two daughters before divorcing in 1979. She has maintained complete privacy since.

When people talk about Morgan Freeman, they usually focus on his voice or his films. But behind his rise to fame stood a woman who supported him through years of struggle. Jeanette Adair Bradshaw married Freeman when he was still unknown, working small theater jobs and hoping for his big break.

Their story started in 1967 and lasted 12 years. During that time, Freeman went from nobody to somebody. And through it all, Jeanette stayed away from the spotlight, choosing privacy over fame. Her life tells a different kind of Hollywood story.

This article covers everything about Jeanette Adair Bradshaw: her early life, marriage to Morgan Freeman, their children, and what happened after their divorce. You’ll learn why she remains one of Hollywood’s most private figures and how her daughters built their own successful lives.

Early Life and Background

Details about Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s early years remain scarce. She was born in the 1940s in the United States, making her roughly three years younger than Freeman. Her exact birthdate, birthplace, and educational background have never been publicly confirmed.

This privacy wasn’t an accident. Jeanette deliberately chose to stay private, refusing to be consumed by fame or publicity. Even during her marriage to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, she kept her personal history to herself.

Before meeting Freeman, she lived a modest life focused on family and personal values. She already had a daughter named Deena from a previous relationship. This showed her strength as a single mother in an era when that path came with social stigma.

Her choice to maintain privacy extends to this day. No interviews exist. No tell-all books. No social media presence. She built a life on her own terms.

Meeting Morgan Freeman

Jeanette and Morgan Freeman reportedly met while both worked at a travel agency. This was before Freeman earned major awards or recognition. He worked regular jobs to support himself while chasing his acting dreams.

Some sources say they dated for about five years before marriage. Others suggest they married shortly after meeting in 1967. Either way, their relationship developed during Freeman’s struggling years.

Freeman wasn’t a household name yet. He took small roles in theater and television. Money was tight. Success was uncertain. But Jeanette saw something in him worth supporting.

They married on October 22, 1967. Freeman was still finding his footing as an actor, appearing in small theater productions while struggling to make a name. Their wedding marked the beginning of a 12-year journey together.

Marriage During Freeman’s Rise

The late 1960s and 1970s proved challenging for Freeman’s career. He faced constant rejection at auditions. Bills piled up. The dream of acting success seemed distant.

But then came his breakthrough. Freeman landed his breakthrough role on The Electric Company (1971-1977), introducing him to millions of viewers. The children’s television show gave him steady work and national exposure.

During their marriage, Freeman’s career slowly gained momentum. He earned a Tony nomination for “The Mighty Gents” in 1978, just one year before their divorce. Recognition was finally coming, but it brought new pressures.

Freeman admitted to facing alcohol problems during the 1970s, stating “I was going through two or three quarts of whiskey a week” in a Washington Post interview. This struggle added strain to their marriage during what should have been celebratory years.

Jeanette stood by Freeman, offering stability in a life that was filled with professional uncertainty. She provided the home base he needed while navigating Hollywood’s ups and downs.

Their Children and Family Life

Jeanette brought her daughter Deena into the marriage. According to People magazine, Freeman adopted Deena as soon as legislative barriers allowed. He treated her as his own child from the start.

Freeman later explained the adoption: “I have a stepdaughter, whom I adopted as soon as I could. There was a legislative action at the time that stood in the way of adopting a girl.”

Together, Jeanette and Freeman had a biological daughter named Morgana Freeman, born in 1971. The couple focused on raising these two girls, creating a blended family built on love and commitment.

Their family life remained largely private. Those who knew them often described their marriage as one of genuine partnership, where Jeanette’s steady presence balanced the ups and downs of Freeman’s budding career.

Deena’s Career Success

Deena Freeman became a highly respected hair and makeup artist, receiving two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Ring of Fire and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. She worked on major films including Bruce Almighty, Million Dollar Baby, and The Dark Knight.

Her success proves that Jeanette’s parenting created a strong foundation. Deena built her own Hollywood career without relying on her father’s name.

Morgana’s Path

Morgana Freeman attended Spelman College in Atlanta, graduating with a degree in economics. She now serves as executive director at the Tallahatchie River Foundation, a nonprofit focused on early childhood education in Mississippi.

Unlike many children of celebrities, Morgana chose public service over entertainment. She makes occasional red carpet appearances with her father but maintains her own identity.

The Divorce in 1979

After 12 years of marriage, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw and Morgan Freeman divorced in 1979. The exact reasons behind their separation were never made public, which speaks to their mutual respect and desire for privacy.

Some reports suggest Freeman’s growing career demands contributed to the split. His increasing fame meant more time away from home. More pressure. More temptation. The alcohol struggles during the 1970s certainly didn’t help.

Their separation did not result in public disputes or legal battles in the press, which sets them apart from many celebrity breakups that become tabloid sensations. Both maintained dignity throughout the process.

The divorce marked a turning point. Freeman’s career accelerated in the 1980s with roles in films like Street Smart and Driving Miss Daisy. Jeanette chose a completely different direction.

Life After Divorce

After her separation from Morgan Freeman, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw completely withdrew from the public eye. She didn’t seek interviews, endorsements, or publicity.

Freeman remarried in 1984 to costume designer Myrna Colley-Lee. That marriage lasted until 2010. Meanwhile, Jeanette built a quiet life away from Hollywood entirely.

There are no verified reports about her professional life or whether she pursued a specific career after the divorce. She focused on family and personal well-being rather than public exposure.

Some sources suggest she lives in Atlanta, Georgia, but even this remains unconfirmed. She has no social media presence. No public appearances. No connection to Freeman’s celebrity world.

Her sustained privacy for over 45 years shows incredible discipline. In an age where everyone seeks their 15 minutes of fame, she chose the opposite path.

The Tragedy of E’dena Hines

One of the most heartbreaking chapters in Jeanette’s life came in 2015. Her granddaughter E’dena Hines, Deena’s daughter, was tragically murdered by her boyfriend in New York City.

E’dena Hines was the daughter of Deena Adair, who was the daughter of Freeman’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. Freeman and his second wife Myrna had raised E’dena in their home.

The 33-year-old aspiring actress was stabbed multiple times outside her apartment. Her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport, was later convicted of first-degree manslaughter.

The loss devastated the entire family. While Freeman spoke publicly about his grief, Jeanette maintained her privacy even through this tragedy. The pain she must have felt remains unspoken but no less real.

Relationship with Freeman Today

Despite their separation, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw and Morgan Freeman have always been spoken of with mutual respect. Neither has publicly criticized the other or shared intimate details about their relationship.

This respectful silence stands out in Hollywood, where public separations often draw unwanted attention. Their maturity speaks to the genuine partnership they once shared.

Freeman has remarried and divorced again. He’s dated other women. But he’s never spoken negatively about Jeanette in public. This suggests their parting, while difficult, was handled with grace.

The fact that both daughters maintained relationships with both parents shows successful co-parenting. Despite the divorce, they prioritized their children’s wellbeing.

Her Net Worth and Financial Status

Estimates of Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s net worth range from $1 million to $5 million. However, these figures remain unverified since she’s never disclosed financial information.

Her income sources after the divorce remain unknown. She likely received a settlement but has never discussed it publicly. This aligns with her overall approach to privacy.

By comparison, Morgan Freeman’s net worth exceeds $250 million. His successful acting career made him one of Hollywood’s wealthiest performers. But Jeanette never sought to capitalize on their connection.

She didn’t write a memoir. She didn’t sell stories to tabloids. She didn’t appear on reality shows. She simply lived her life away from all that noise.

Key Timeline of Events

Year	Event
1940s	Jeanette Adair Bradshaw born in the United States
1963	Daughter Deena born from previous relationship
1967	Married Morgan Freeman on October 22
1971	Daughter Morgana Freeman born
1971-1977	Freeman stars in The Electric Company
1978	Freeman receives Tony nomination
1979	Divorce finalized in November
1984	Freeman marries Myrna Colley-Lee
2015	Granddaughter E’dena Hines murdered
2024	Continues living privately, away from media

Why Her Story Matters

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw represents something rare in celebrity culture. She had access to fame but chose privacy. She could have profited from her connection to Freeman but didn’t.

Her story matters because it shows an alternative path. Not everyone wants the spotlight. Not everyone defines success through public recognition. Some people find fulfillment in family, personal growth, and living authentically.

She supported Freeman during his hardest years. She raised two successful daughters. She handled divorce with dignity. She maintained privacy for nearly half a century.

These accomplishments don’t make headlines. But they demonstrate strength, character, and self-awareness that deserve recognition.

Lessons from Her Life

Jeanette’s life offers several valuable lessons:

Privacy is powerful. In our oversharing culture, choosing privacy shows strength. Jeanette proved you can be connected to fame without being consumed by it.

Support matters. She stood by Freeman when he had nothing. That foundation helped him become the actor he is today.

Dignity in divorce. Their respectful separation shows maturity. Not all endings need to be ugly.

Successful parenting happens privately. Both daughters built meaningful careers and lives. Good parenting doesn’t require publicity.

You define your own success. Jeanette didn’t need fame or wealth to live a fulfilling life. She created her own version of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw?

She is Morgan Freeman’s first wife, married from 1967 to 1979 during his struggling actor years before fame.

How many children did Jeanette and Morgan have?

They had one biological daughter, Morgana. Freeman adopted Jeanette’s daughter Deena from a previous relationship.

Why did Jeanette and Morgan Freeman divorce?

Reasons remain private, though Freeman’s career pressures and admitted alcohol struggles during the 1970s likely contributed.

What does Jeanette Adair Bradshaw do now?

Her current occupation and location remain unknown. She has maintained complete privacy for over 45 years.

Are Jeanette and Morgan Freeman still friends?

While they don’t appear publicly together, both have maintained respectful silence about each other for decades.

What happened to Jeanette’s granddaughter?

E’dena Hines was tragically murdered by her boyfriend in New York City in 2015 at age 33.

Conclusion

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s story reminds us that not all important people seek the spotlight. She played a crucial role in Morgan Freeman’s life during his formative years. She raised two successful daughters who built their own careers. She handled divorce with grace and maintained privacy through tragedy.

Her choice to live quietly doesn’t diminish her significance. If anything, it makes her story more compelling. In a world obsessed with fame and attention, she chose a different path. She defined success on her own terms and never looked back.

Freeman became a Hollywood legend, but Jeanette remained true to herself. That takes a different kind of courage. Her life proves that you don’t need fame to make an impact. Sometimes the most powerful choice is simply living authentically, away from the noise.