Stevie Wonder’s Net Worth: Born Blind but Became a Music Legend, Performed on Stage Even After Narrowly Escaping Death, What’s the Story Behind Stevie Wonder’s $200 Million Life?

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stevie wonder net worth

We live in a time where Stevie Wonder is already spoken of as a legend. He sang love songs, made socially conscious music, and gave us uplifting tunes. Whatever you wanted, Stevie delivered from the seventies and all through the following decades!

Naturally, this made me wonder—no pun intended—about Stevie Wonder’s net worth and how tough the journey must’ve been, especially with him starting out as a child and suffering from sight loss.

Thankfully, it wasn’t as rough as you might think but it was truly eventful! Let’s give it a look together, shall we?

Stevie’s Early Life Story and How He Lost His Eyesight

While we might know him as Stevie Wonder, that’s not really his name—ish! His real name is Stevland Hardaway Judkins, born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan.

Now, before we get too far into his story, you should know that Stevie’s eye condition occurred soon after his birth. Not a lot of people know this, but Stevie Wonder was born almost six weeks prematurely. This was an issue in and of itself.

However, when you add in the fact that oxygen levels need to be perfect for preterm babies, problems start to occur, similar to what happened with Stevie.

The incubator room in the hospital had too much oxygen, which can cause various issues, one of which is called retinopathy of prematurity. This causes the body to forget about eye growth, leaving the little child blind for life.

Growing Up and Discovering His Talents

Regarding his family tree, things can get a bit complicated, so pay attention to this part or you might find yourself confused! To start, his mother, Lula Mae Hardway, was married to a man with whom she had a child.

A photo of Stevie Wonder and her mother Lula Mae Hardway
A photo of Stevie Wonder and her mother Lula Mae Hardway

Image source: Google

The couple later separated and Stevie’s mom met his father, married, and had two kids, the latter of which was Stevie. Sadly, a few years later, Lula Mae and Stevie’s father broke up and she reunited with her first husband years later, having two more kids.

This means Stevie has four siblings and he’s the troublesome middle child. When Stevie’s parents separated, his mother moved him and his two siblings to Detroit where he attended Whitestone Baptist Church.

It seems that his time in that church is what helped him learn more about his talent as he sang in the choir and played multiple instruments, including the piano, drums, and harmonica.

As Stevie grew, so did his talents and his desire to explore further. Later, he sparked a friendship with a boy named John and the two often played street corners and parties. That’s when Motown finally came into the picture and signed him to become the prodigy we all know and love at just 11 years old!

Stevie Wonder during his teenage years
Stevie Wonder during his teenage years

Image source: Instagram

Current Net Worth

With a net worth of $200 million as of 2024, you can tell Stevie Wonder had unmatched talent and a fantastic career. Singing with Motown at just 11, he defied the odds, selling over 100 million records and earning a place among the best-selling artists of all time.

Hits like “Superstition” and “Signed, Sealed, and Delivered I’m Yours” are just a part of a catalog that has earned him 25 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

His real estate portfolio also highlights his success, including a Los Feliz estate he flipped for millions and a stunning $14 million Mansion in Bel Air!

His Career

11 year old Stevie Wonder auditions for Motown Records
11-year-old Stevie Wonder auditions for Motown Records

Image source: Instagram

Stevie Wonder’s story began with Motown’s audition at just 11 years old. In 1961, he sang his original composition, “Lonely Boy,” to Ronnie White of The Miracles, leading to a contract with Berry Gordy’s Tamla label.

Gordy, seeing the young prodigy’s potential, named him “Little Stevie Wonder.” One year later, Stevie was touring with the Motortown Revue and recorded “The 12 Year Genius,” featuring his first No.1 hit, “Fingertips.” By 13, he was the youngest artist to top the Billboard Hot 100!

 

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 Though he stumbled upon a little challenge when his voice changed in his teen years, Stevie and songwriter Sylvia Moy rebounded with the smash hit “Uptight (Everything’s Alright).”

Steve’s Classic Era

The ‘70s marked Stevie’s transition into a classical icon. After renegotiating his contract with Motown at age 21, Stevie gained more creative freedom, resulting in groundbreaking albums.

Music of My Mind (1972) introduced his signature blend of social commentary, romantic themes, and bold musical experimentation. On the other hand, Talking Book (1972) brought iconic hits like “Superstition” and “ You Are The Sunshine of My Life.”

In 1973, Stevie released Innervisions, featuring classics like “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City. ” The album won three Grammys, including Album of the Year.

Despite a near-fatal car accident that year, he continued to perform, releasing Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). The latter, often considered his magnum opus, produced timeless tracks like “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely.”

Thriving Career and Modern-Day Work

In 1991, Stevie provided the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, featuring memorable tracks like “Gotta Have You” and “These Three Words.”

His live album Natural Wonder and Conversation Peace kept his artistry alive, with the latter inspired by a life-changing trip to Ghana during Panafest.

In 1996, he took the global stage at the Atlanta Olympics closing ceremony and earned a Grammy nomination for his duet with Babyface, “How Come, How Long,” addressing domestic violence.

Stevie also performed at the Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999 and, a few months later, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Rutgers University. To this day, in 2024, Stevie Wonder still makes the charts with his music, the latest being an EP titled “Christmas Time.”

Personal Life

Stevie’s been married three times! The first time was to Motown’s singer Syreeta Wright, then to fashion designer Kai Millard, and now to Tomeeka Bracy. He’s a proud dad to nine kids from five different relationships, including musically talented daughter Aisha, who inspired his hit “Isn’t She Lovely?”

The women from left to right are Syretta Wright, Kai Millard, Tomeeka Bracy
The women from left to right are Syretta Wright, Kai Millard, Tomeeka Bracy

Image source: Google

Setting music aside, Stevie’s pretty passionate about social causes. He’s a longtime Baptist with a spiritual side, went vegan and even became a Ghanaian citizen in 2024.

Final Words

Stevie Wonder’s net worth is a testament to his resilience, courage, and, most importantly, talent. He lived his entire life without seeing the instruments he played or reading the words he sang. Stevie only played from his heart, and that passion transcended physical limitations.

Despite being blind shortly after his birth, he grew up to be one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. After learning more about his career and the challenges he faced, including that nearly fatal car crash, I understand why he’s a legend. Stevie didn’t just make songs; he made history.


Featured image source: Instagram