Stevie Wonder facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stevie Wonder
Wonder in 2019
Born	Stevland Hardaway Judkins (1950-05-13) May 13, 1950 (age 75) Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
Other names	Little Stevie Wonder
Citizenship	United States Ghana
Occupation	Singer songwriter musician record producer
Years active	1961–present
Spouse(s)	Syreeta Wright ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1972)​ Kai Millard ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2015)​ Tomeeka Bracy ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	9
Parent(s)	Lula Mae Hardaway (mother)
Musical career
Genres	Soul R&B pop funk gospel progressive soul
Instruments	Vocals keyboards harmonica drums harpejji
Labels	Tamla Motown So What the Fuss Records
Signature

Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950), known to the world as Stevie Wonder, is an amazing American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is considered one of the most important and inspiring musicians of the 20th century. Many artists in genres like R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz look up to him. Stevie Wonder was born blind shortly after birth. He became a child star, signing with Motown's Tamla label when he was just 11 years old. He was first called "Little Stevie Wonder."

During his most famous years, especially in the 1970s, Stevie Wonder was like a one-person band. He used synthesizers and other electronic instruments in new ways, which changed modern R&B music. He also made albums that told stories and shared important messages about society.

Stevie Wonder has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists ever. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, which is more than any other male solo artist! He also won an Academy Award. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2009, he became a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2014, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2024, he became a citizen of Ghana, a country he feels deeply connected to.

Stevie Wonder's Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. He was born six weeks early. Because of this, and the oxygen used in his hospital incubator, his eyes did not develop properly, leaving him blind.

When Stevie was four, his mother moved with her children to Detroit. He sang in the choir at Whitestone Baptist Church and became a soloist at just eight years old. Stevie started playing instruments very young, including piano, harmonica, and drums. He even formed a singing group with a friend, performing on street corners.

In 1961, when Stevie was 11, he signed with Motown Records. His last name was legally changed to Morris, an old family name. Motown's boss, Berry Gordy, gave him the stage name "Little Stevie Wonder." After his first album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, was released in 1962, he attended the Michigan School for the Blind.

Becoming a Star: The 1960s

Stevie Wonder rehearsing for a TV show in 1967

At age 11, Stevie Wonder sang his song "Lonely Boy" for Ronnie White of the Miracles. This led to an audition at Motown, where he was signed. Because he was so young, his earnings were saved for him until he turned 21. He and his mother received a weekly allowance, and Stevie had a private tutor while on tour.

Producer Clarence Paul worked with Stevie on his first two albums. One was Tribute to Uncle Ray, mostly covers of Ray Charles's songs. The other was The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, an instrumental album. These early albums didn't become big hits.

In 1962, Stevie joined the Motortown Revue, a tour for Black artists. His live performance in Chicago was recorded and released as Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius in 1963. A song from this album, "Fingertips", became a huge hit! It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Stevie was just 13. This made him the youngest solo artist ever to top that chart.

After a few less successful songs, some people at Motown thought about ending his contract. But songwriter Sylvia Moy convinced Berry Gordy to give him another chance. They worked together to create the hit song "Uptight (Everything's Alright)". Stevie then had many more hits in the mid-1960s, like "I Was Made to Love Her" and "For Once in My Life". He also started writing songs for himself and other Motown artists.

The "Classic Period": The 1970s

The TONTO synthesizer, which helped create Stevie Wonder's unique sound in the 1970s

The 1970s were a very important time for Stevie Wonder's music, often called his "classic period." In 1970, he married songwriter Syreeta Wright. They worked together on his album Where I'm Coming From (1971), which explored social issues.

When Stevie turned 21 in 1971, his contract with Motown ended. He negotiated a new, more flexible contract that gave him more control over his music. He became very interested in synthesizers, which are electronic musical instruments. He hired Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, who had built a special synthesizer called TONTO.

Their collaboration led to the album Music of My Mind in 1972. This album had a new electronic sound and was praised by critics. It was followed by Talking Book in October 1972. This album featured two number-one hits: "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". These songs won him three Grammy Awards.

Stevie Wonder performing in 1973

In August 1973, Stevie released Innervisions, which included hits like "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City". This album won him his first Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Soon after, he was seriously injured in a car accident and was in a coma for four days. Thankfully, he recovered and continued making music.

He released Fulfillingness' First Finale in 1974, which also won Album of the Year at the Grammys. In 1976, he released the double album Songs in the Key of Life. This album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and stayed there for 14 weeks. It featured popular songs like "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". It also included "Isn't She Lovely", written for his newborn daughter, Aisha. Songs in the Key of Life won Album of the Year and two other Grammys, making him the only artist to win this award for three albums in a row!

Global Influence: The 1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s, Stevie Wonder became even more famous around the world. He worked with other big stars like Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. He also used his fame to support important causes. His 1980 album Hotter than July included the song "Happy Birthday", which helped his campaign to establish Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday in the United States. This dream came true in 1983!

In 1982, he had another number-one hit with Paul McCartney called "Ebony and Ivory", a song about racial harmony. His song "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Red was a huge international hit in 1984 and won an Academy Award for Best Song. Stevie Wonder used his acceptance speech to honor Nelson Mandela, a leader fighting for equality in South Africa.

His album In Square Circle (1985) featured the number-one hit "Part-Time Lover". He also joined other artists for charity songs like "We Are the World" to help with famine relief in Africa.

Stevie Wonder in 1994

Stevie continued to release music in the 1990s, though at a slower pace. He created the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Jungle Fever in 1991. From this album, singles and videos were released for "Gotta Have You", "Fun Day" (remix only), "These Three Words" and "Jungle Fever". He also visited Ghana, a country he felt a strong connection to, and composed many songs there. In 1996, he performed at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also collaborated with artists like Babyface and Sting.

Stevie Wonder in the 21st Century

Stevie Wonder has remained active in music and important causes into the 21st century. He released his album A Time to Love in 2005. He has made guest appearances on albums by artists like Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg, and performed duets with Andrea Bocelli and Tony Bennett.

He has also performed at many significant events, including the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Paralympics, the Live 8 concert in 2005, and the Obama Inaugural Celebration in 2009.

Stevie Wonder in 2006

In recent years, Stevie Wonder has continued to tour and work on new music. In October 2020, he announced a new record label, So What the Fuss Records, and released two new songs. In June 2021, he appeared in the documentary Summer of Soul, which showed his performance at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. In October 2022, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his album Talking Book.

In August 2024, Stevie Wonder released a new song called "Can We Fix Our Nation's Broken Heart." He also headlined the Lytham Festival in the UK in July 2025.

Stevie Wonder's Amazing Legacy

Stevie Wonder is one of the most important and influential figures in popular music history. He is known for being a talented songwriter and musician. During his most famous years, he often played many instruments himself, like a one-person band! His use of synthesizers in the 1970s helped change the sound of R&B music. He also made albums that were like complete stories, with songs that fit together and often shared important messages.

He has recorded over 30 top-ten hits in the U.S., including ten number-one pop hits. He has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, more than any other male solo artist. He is also the only artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year three times in a row!

Barack Obama presenting Stevie Wonder with the Gershwin Prize in 2009

Stevie Wonder is also known for his work as an activist. His campaign helped make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday in the United States. He has received many honors for his music and his work for civil rights, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2014. In 2016, a part of a street in Detroit, where he grew up, was renamed "Stevie Wonder Avenue" in his honor. In 2024, he received the George Peabody Medal for his outstanding contributions to music.

Stevie Wonder's Personal Life

Stevie Wonder has been married three times. He was married to songwriter Syreeta Wright from 1970 to 1972. Later, he was married to fashion designer Kai Millard from 2001 to 2015. In 2017, he married Tomeeka Bracy.

He has nine children. His daughter, Aisha Morris, born in 1975, was the inspiration for his famous song "Isn't She Lovely". Aisha is now a singer and has toured and recorded with her father. His son, Mandla, was born on Stevie's 55th birthday in 2005. His youngest daughter, Nia, was born in 2014.

In May 2006, Stevie Wonder's mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, passed away. In July 2019, he announced he would be undergoing a kidney transplant, which was successfully performed in December 2019.

Stevie Wonder is a Baptist and has also explored Transcendental Meditation. He became a vegetarian and later a vegan. He uses his platform to speak about important issues. In April 2018, he shared a video honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and encouraged others to share their dreams. In August 2024, he performed at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, speaking about the importance of courage.

On his 74th birthday in May 2024, Stevie Wonder was granted Ghanaian citizenship by Ghana's President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Awards and Special Recognition

Stevie Wonder has received many important awards for his incredible music and his work for a better world.

Grammy Awards

Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, which is the most for any male solo artist! He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. He is one of only four artists to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year three times, and the only artist to win it for three albums in a row.

Other Awards and Honors

Stevie Wonder has received many other special awards and recognitions:

• In 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• He won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1984 for "I Just Called to Say I Love You".
• In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
• In 1999, he was honored with the Polar Music Prize and Kennedy Center Honors.
• He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2014.
• In 2016, a street in Detroit was renamed "Stevie Wonder Avenue" in his honor.
• In 2023, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, for his activism.
• In 2024, he received the George Peabody Medal for his outstanding contributions to music.

Honorary Degrees

Stevie Wonder has also received many honorary degrees from universities around the world:

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Stevie Wonder para niños

• List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)