Jeanette Adair Bradshaw is best known as the first wife of actor Morgan Freeman. They were married from October 22, 1967, to November 18, 1979. She has remained a private person, and only limited details about her life are publicly confirmed.
This article shares only publicly known and verified information about her life, family, and connection to Morgan Freeman. No rumors. No guesses.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeanette Adair Bradshaw |
| Known For | First wife of Morgan Freeman |
| Marriage Date | October 22, 1967 |
| Divorce Date | November 18, 1979 |
| Marriage Duration | 12 years |
| Children | Deena Adair (adopted by Freeman), Morgana Freeman |
| Nationality | American |
| Public Career | No verified public career record |
| Social Media | No public accounts |
| Current Status | Maintains a private life |
Who Is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw?
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw entered public attention because of her marriage to Morgan Freeman. Their relationship began before Freeman became a major Hollywood figure. She was part of his life during his early acting years when he was still building his career.
Outside of that marriage, there is very little verified public information about her personal background, education, or professional life. She has kept a very low public profile for decades.
Early Life and Background
While her exact birth date is not publicly confirmed, She is widely believed to have been born in the 1940s, but no official record confirms a specific date.
Many online articles guess details about her early years, but these claims are not supported by reliable public records. What is clear is that she was living in the United States before meeting Morgan Freeman and was already a mother when they met.
Because she chose privacy, most details about her early life remain undocumented.
Marriage to Morgan Freeman
Marriage Timeline
Public accounts suggest that Jeanette and Morgan Freeman met in the early 1960s, several years before their marriage in 1967.
The couple officially married on October 22, 1967. Their marriage lasted until November 18, 1979.
This period was before Freeman became an internationally recognized film star. During those years, he worked in theater and television. One of his early known television projects was The Electric Company.
After twelve years together, the marriage ended in divorce. Neither Jeanette nor Morgan Freeman publicly shared detailed reasons for their separation.
Family and Children
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw was already a mother before her marriage to Freeman.
Children in the Family
| Name | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Deena Adair | Jeanette’s daughter from a previous relationship, later adopted by Morgan Freeman |
| Morgana Freeman | Biological daughter of Jeanette and Morgan Freeman |
Public film credits show that Deena later worked in the film industry, including hair and makeup departments.
Morgan Freeman has spoken in interviews about formally adopting Deena during the marriage and the legal process involved at that time.
Morgan Freeman has four children in total: Alfonso, Deena, Morgana, and Saifoulaye. However, Jeanette’s direct connection within the family includes Deena and Morgana.
The Tragic Loss of E’dena Hines
E’dena Hines was the daughter of Deena Adair and the step-granddaughter of Morgan Freeman. She was part of the extended family. On August 16, 2015, she was killed in New York City at the age of 33 in a criminal case that received national media coverage.
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw did not make public statements about the incident and continued to maintain her privacy.
Life After Divorce
After their divorce in 1979, Morgan Freeman later remarried in 1984. That second marriage ended in 2010. Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, however, chose to remain out of public attention and there is no confirmed record of her remarrying.
- She did not give interviews.
- She did not publish memoirs.
- She did not build a public media presence.
Unlike many individuals connected to celebrities, she did not attempt to remain visible in Hollywood or entertainment media.
Current Status
There is no confirmed public record announcing her passing.
Because she has avoided media and public exposure for decades, updated personal details such as residence or occupation are not publicly available.
The most accurate statement based on public records is this:
She continues to live quietly and does not seek public attention.
What Is Publicly Known vs. What Is Not Confirmed
Publicly Known
- Her marriage to Morgan Freeman lasted from 1967 until 1979.
- Morgan Freeman adopted her daughter Deena.
- She is the mother of Morgana Freeman.
Not Publicly Confirmed
- Unverified claims about her birth date circulating online
- Exact birthplace
- Detailed education history
- Independent professional career
- Confirmed net worth
- Claims about large divorce settlements
- Statements about her personal career without documented proof
Any article that presents these as confirmed facts without reliable documentation is making assumptions.
Why Information About Her Is Limited
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw is not a public entertainer, politician, or business executive. Her visibility came through marriage, not public career.
When the marriage ended, she chose privacy. Over time, that privacy became consistent and complete.
In today’s digital world, this level of privacy is rare.
Morgan Freeman’s Career Context
During their marriage, Freeman was still developing his career. His major film breakthrough roles came after the divorce.
Understanding this timeline is important because it explains why financial speculation about large divorce settlements is unreliable. Freeman’s highest-earning years came later in his career.
Key Timeline
During the years of their marriage, Morgan Freeman was still building his acting career. In the 1970s, he became more widely recognized for his role on the children’s television program The Electric Company. His major film breakthrough came later, after the marriage had ended.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Marriage to Morgan Freeman |
| 1971 | Birth of Morgana Freeman |
| 1979 | Divorce finalized |
| 1980s onward | Freeman’s major Hollywood rise |
| 2015 | Passing of E’dena Hines |
| Present | Jeanette remains private |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw?
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw is the first wife of actor Morgan Freeman. They were married from 1967 to 1979.
On which date did Jeanette Adair Bradshaw marry Morgan Freeman?
They married on October 22, 1967.
When did they divorce?
Their divorce was finalized on November 18, 1979.
How many children does Jeanette Adair Bradshaw have?
She has two daughters connected to her marriage: Deena Adair and Morgana Freeman.
Did Morgan Freeman adopt her daughter?
Yes. He adopted Deena Adair during the marriage.
Is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw still alive?
There is no confirmed public record announcing her death. She has kept a private life.
What is Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s birth date?
Her exact birth date is not publicly confirmed.
What is her net worth?
There is no verified public financial record confirming her net worth.
Why is so little known about her?
She chose to live privately and did not participate in public interviews or media exposure.
Did she work in entertainment?
There is no verified public record confirming a professional career in film or television.
Did she remarry after Morgan Freeman?
There is no confirmed public information indicating that she remarried.
Does she use social media?
There are no verified public social media accounts connected to her.
Final Thoughts
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw’s story is simple and clear. She was part of Morgan Freeman’s life during his early acting years, before his major film success. After their marriage ended, she chose privacy and remained consistent in that choice.
There are no confirmed public records showing that she sought attention, profit, or publicity from her past marriage. Her life reminds us that not every person connected to fame wants visibility. Some choose quiet. And sometimes, that choice lasts a lifetime.
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