| Net Worth: | $200.0 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 73 |
| Born: | May 13, 1950 |
| Gender: | male |
| Height: | 6 ft (1.84 m) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Record producer, Drummer, Organist, Keyboard Player, Pianist, Composer, Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist, Musician, Actor |
| Last Updated: | 2023 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Stevie Wonder’s Net Worth?
Stevie Wonder, the legendary American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, has a remarkable net worth of $200 million. His immense talent and groundbreaking contributions to popular music have solidified his status as one of the most influential and innovative artists in history.
Despite being blind since shortly after birth, Wonder’s musical genius was evident from a young age, leading him to sign with Motown Records at just 11 years old. Throughout his career, he has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Wonder’s discography is filled with chart-topping hits, including classics like “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”
Stevie Wonder’s contributions to music have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. He has been honored with an impressive 25 Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Notably, he is the only artist to have won the Grammy for Album of the Year three consecutive times for his groundbreaking albums “Innervisions” (1973), “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” (1974), and “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976).
Stevie Wonder’s Net Worth, Career, and Success Story (2023 Update)
Early Life
Stevland Hardaway Judkins, better known as Stevie Wonder, was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. He is the third of six children born to songwriter Lula Mae Hardaway and Calvin Judkins. Wonder’s journey began with adversity, as he was born six weeks premature and placed in an oxygen-rich incubator.
Unfortunately, this resulted in his blindness, officially diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity.
Despite this challenge, Wonder’s talent and musical inclination emerged at a young age. He showcased his vocal abilities by singing in the choir of his local Baptist Church and quickly became proficient in playing instruments such as the piano, drums, and harmonica.
Wonder’s blindness heightened his sense of sound, allowing him to create vibrant and colorful music that resonated with audiences. His remarkable talent caught the attention of Motown CEO Berry Gordy, leading to his signing with Motown Records at the age of 11.
Career
Stevie Wonder’s career began at a tender age, and Motown Records recognized his potential by drawing up a five-year contract that placed his royalties in a trust until he turned 21. To support himself and his mother, Wonder received a weekly stipend of $2.50, equivalent to approximately $21 today.
At the age of 11, he released his first album, “Tribute to Uncle Ray,” which featured covers of songs by Ray Charles. This was followed by the instrumental album “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie.”
Wonder’s talent continued to flourish, and he joined the Motortown Revue, where his electrifying 20-minute performance at Chicago’s Regal Theater was recorded and released as the album “Recorded Live: The 12-Year-Old Genius.” The single “Fingertips” from this album became a massive hit, propelling Wonder to stardom.
Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Stevie Wonder achieved a string of hits, including “I Was Made to Love Her,” “For Once in My Life,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Notably, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” marked his first self-produced song.
In 1970, at the age of 20, Wonder married Syreeta Wright, a talented singer-songwriter from Motown. Together, they worked on his next album, “Where I’m Coming From,” released in 1971. Wonder’s 21st birthday marked the expiration of his initial Motown contract, leading him to sign a new contract with the record label.
This new agreement set a precedent at Motown, granting Wonder a significantly higher royalty rate.
Wonder’s return to Motown in 1972 was marked by the release of “Music of My Mind.” This album, released later that year, featured chart-topping hits such as “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” The success continued with the release of “Innervisions” in 1973, which included hits like “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City.” The album garnered three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and is ranked No.
23 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Stevie Wonder’s discography is filled with iconic compositions such as “Sir Duke,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “My Cherie Amour,” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” His best-known albums include “Talking Book,” “Innervisions,” and “Songs in the Key of Life.” With an astonishing 25 Grammy Awards to his name, Wonder holds the record for the most awarded male solo artist.
Beyond his musical achievements, he has also been recognized for his activism and advocacy for political causes, notably his campaign in 1980 to establish Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday in the United States. In December 2012, Stevie Wonder was inducted into The Soul Music Hall of Fame through popular vote.
Personal Life
Stevie Wonder has been married three times and has nine children from five different women. His first marriage was to Motown singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright in 1970, which ended amicably in 1972. He then married fashion designer Kai Millard in 2001, but the couple divorced in 2012.
In 2017, Wonder married Tomeeka Bracy.
Wonder’s children include Aisha Morris, born in 1975, who is the inspiration behind his hit single “Isn’t She Lovely?” She is a talented singer who has toured with her father and contributed to his recordings. Wonder also has a son named Keita with Yolanda Simmons, whom he met when she applied for a secretarial job at his publishing company.
Additionally, he has a son named Mumtaz Morris with Melody McCully, a daughter named Sophia and a son named Kwame with an undisclosed woman, and two sons named Kialand and Mandla with his second wife, Kai Millard. In December 2014, Wonder and Tomeeka Bracy welcomed their second child together, a daughter named Nia.
The name of their first child remains unknown.
Real Estate
In 2009, Stevie Wonder purchased a Mediterranean estate in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. This stunning property, built in 1928, spans 4,511 square feet. Four years later, Wonder listed the home for sale, with an asking price of $8.199 million, showcasing his penchant for luxurious real estate.
In December 2021, Stevie Wonder made another significant real estate investment, acquiring a 20,000 square-foot mansion in the prestigious Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles for a whopping $14 million. The seller of this luxurious property was a member of the Saudi Royal Family, further highlighting Wonder’s taste for opulent living.
Summary
Stevie Wonder is an extraordinary musician whose talent and creativity have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Despite facing the challenge of blindness from birth, Wonder’s musical genius shone through, leading him to become one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.
With a net worth of $200 million, numerous Grammy Awards, and a vast discography filled with timeless hits, Stevie Wonder’s contributions to music and activism continue to inspire generations.
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