Jeanette Adair Bradshaw: A Detailed Look at the Life of Morgan Freeman’s First Wife

When people hear the name Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, it is often in connection with the legendary Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman. Yet, behind the spotlight and celebrity attention lies the quiet and dignified life of a woman who chose privacy over fame. Despite being linked to one of the greatest actors of our time, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw has largely remained out of the public eye. Still, curiosity about her life, her age, her relationships, her net worth, and her children continues to grow.

This article takes a detailed look into the life of Jeanette Adair Bradshaw—covering who she is, her background, her family connections, her marriage to Freeman, and where her story fits into the broader narrative of Hollywood history.

Who is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw?

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw is widely recognized as the first wife of Morgan Freeman, the Oscar-winning actor famous for his distinctive deep voice and iconic roles in films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and Million Dollar Baby.

Unlike Freeman, who has spent decades under the public spotlight, Jeanette lived a life away from media attention. She never pursued a career in acting or celebrity culture. Instead, she was described in some reports as having worked in creative industries such as hair and makeup artistry, although much of her professional background has not been officially documented.

Her legacy is therefore less about public achievements and more about her private journey—her marriage, motherhood, and resilience after parting ways with Freeman.

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s Age and Early Life

One of the most frequently asked questions online is: “How old is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw?”

• Most sources speculate she was born on November 30, 1940, which would make her around 84–85 years old in 2025.
• Other reports simply place her birth year in the 1940s, without an exact date.
• Unlike Freeman, whose rise to fame brought attention to every detail of his life, Jeanette’s age and upbringing remain less clear, with no verified interviews or family accounts made public.

Her quiet approach to life explains why details of her childhood, family, and education are largely absent from public records.

Marriage to Morgan Freeman

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw married Morgan Freeman on October 22, 1967. At the time, Freeman was a rising talent still working to establish himself in the entertainment industry. Their union lasted 12 years, ending in divorce on November 18, 1979.

During their marriage:

• Freeman was taking on smaller television roles and stage appearances before gaining major recognition.
• Jeanette provided support during his early struggles, raising their children while Freeman focused on his career.
• The couple’s eventual split was widely reported, though the reasons for the divorce were kept private.

After the divorce, Freeman’s career skyrocketed in the 1980s and 1990s, while Jeanette faded from the limelight. Unlike many celebrity spouses who leverage connections to pursue fame, she chose not to remain in Hollywood circles.

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s Children

Jeanette was a mother both before and during her marriage to Freeman. Her family structure is an important part of her identity.

• Deena Adair (later adopted by Freeman):
  Jeanette had Deena from a previous relationship. After marrying Freeman, he adopted Deena and raised her as his daughter. Deena later had a daughter named E’Dena Hines, who became well-known in the public eye because of her tragic passing in 2015.
• Morgana Freeman (biological daughter with Freeman):
  In 1971, Jeanette and Freeman welcomed their daughter, Morgana. Unlike her father, Morgana has chosen a private life and has largely avoided media attention.

Thus, Jeanette is associated with two children—Deena and Morgana—and through Deena, a granddaughter, E’Dena.

The Tragedy of E’Dena Hines

One of the darkest moments connected to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s family came in 2015, when her granddaughter, E’Dena Hines, was murdered in New York City.

E’Dena, who was just 33, was tragically stabbed to death by her boyfriend. The incident shocked both Hollywood and the Freeman family. For Jeanette, it was a devastating reminder of the harshness of public attention—her family was pulled into the media spotlight for reasons far beyond her control.

Freeman publicly mourned his granddaughter’s loss, while Jeanette kept her silence, consistent with her lifelong avoidance of publicity.

Life After Divorce

After her separation from Morgan Freeman in 1979, Jeanette retreated from public life. Unlike many ex-spouses of celebrities, she did not grant interviews or write memoirs.

Some blogs and celebrity gossip outlets claim she later remarried a man named Joseph Thomas in Atlanta, and that her daughter Morgana has referred to him as a stepfather. However, there are no verifiable public records or authoritative biographies confirming this, so the claim remains speculative.

What is certain is that Jeanette consciously avoided the media circus that often surrounds Hollywood divorces. She chose dignity and privacy over publicity.

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s Net Worth

Another frequent curiosity is her net worth. Here, speculation dominates:

• Several celebrity gossip websites estimate her net worth at $1 million, sometimes stretching the figure to $3–4 million.
• Other sources give lower estimates, closer to $300,000–500,000.
• These figures are not verifiable and are largely based on assumptions about her divorce settlement with Freeman, plus any private earnings.

Unlike her ex-husband, whose net worth is publicly reported at over $250 million, Jeanette’s financial details remain private and uncertain.

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s Legacy

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s legacy is not one of Hollywood stardom but rather of quiet strength. She played a crucial role during Morgan Freeman’s formative years, supported their family, and raised her daughters outside of constant publicity.

While much about her remains unknown—her early life, her career, her later years—her story reflects an important truth: not every life connected to Hollywood fame seeks the spotlight.

She remains a figure of curiosity precisely because she chose the path of privacy, even as her ex-husband became a household name worldwide.

Why People Still Search About Her

The ongoing searches for phrases like “Who is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw”, “Jeanette Adair Bradshaw age”, “Jeanette Adair Bradshaw net worth”, and “Jeanette Adair Bradshaw kids” reflect the fascination people have with the private lives of public figures.

Her connection to Freeman ensures that her name resurfaces whenever fans research the actor’s past. At the same time, her refusal to share her story leaves an aura of mystery.

Conclusion

Jeanette Adair Bradshaw may forever be remembered as Morgan Freeman’s first wife, but she is also much more—a mother, grandmother, and private individual who has gracefully maintained her distance from Hollywood fame.

Her age, estimated to be in her mid-80s today, her children (Deena and Morgana), and her tragic link to granddaughter E’Dena Hines continue to make her story relevant. Her net worth remains speculative, and her later life largely unknown, but her role in Freeman’s journey and her quiet resilience make her a fascinating figure.

At the end of the day, Jeanette’s life is a reminder that not everyone connected to Hollywood fame seeks to live under the spotlight. Some choose dignity in privacy.

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