For years, actor Morgan Freeman has remained tightlipped about a rumored relationship with his step-granddaughter, but now the “Invictus” star is finally speaking out.
In a statement on April 12 to TMZ, Freeman, 74, denied that he and his 27-year-old step-granddaughter E’Dena Hines, who is not a blood relative, are romantically involved. He also squelched the marriage rumors that surfaced earlier this month.
“The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers,” Freeman told the site. “What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well.”
Hines also released a statement on the situation.
“These stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also hurtful to me and my family,” she said.
Freeman’s publicist explained to TMZ that the actor has been silent about the rumors because he didn’t want to dignify them by commenting. He added that his client decided to speak up after the allegations had reached mainstream media outlets.
The rumors first surfaced in 2009, when the National Inquirer reported that the actor had been involved in a relationship with Hines for 10 years. A family insider allegedly told the newspaper that pair’s relationship blossomed shortly after they almost had a sexual encounter.
Then, earlier this month, unnamed sources told the Contra Costa Times newspaper that Freeman and Hines were planning to wed.
“Morgan has led to believe that he wants to marry her,” the insider told the newspaper. Another anonymous source added, “Becoming Mrs. Morgan Freeman has been E’Dena’s goal.”
Hines is the granddaughter of Freeman’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. After the couple divorced in 1979, the actor married Myrna Colley-Lee and agreed to raise Hines. According to E! News, Freeman and Colley-Lee split up in 2007 and officially divorced in 2010.