Stevie Wonder Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Stevie Wonder’s Net Worth?

With an impressive net worth of $200 million, Stevie Wonder stands out as an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Considered one of the most influential and innovative figures in the realm of popular music, Wonder has made a significant impact despite being blind since early childhood. His extraordinary talent was evident from a young age when he signed with Motown Records at the age of 11. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has sold more than 100 million records globally, securing his place as one of the best-selling music artists in history. Among his many #1 hits are classics like “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”

The music industry has acknowledged Stevie Wonder’s remarkable accomplishments with numerous accolades. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Notably, he made history as the only artist to receive the Grammy for Album of the Year three consecutive times for “Innervisions” (1973), “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” (1974), and “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976).

Early Life

Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, he is the third of six children of Lula Mae Hardaway and Calvin Judkins. Wonder arrived six weeks premature, and due to the oxygen-rich incubator used during his neonatal care, he was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity, which resulted in blindness. Following his parents’ divorce when he was four, Stevie and his siblings relocated to Detroit with their mother. As a child, he participated in the choir at his local Baptist Church and showed an early aptitude for music, quickly learning to play the piano, drums, and harmonica. His acute sense of hearing, enhanced by his blindness, allowed him to create vivid and lively music. Motown CEO Berry Gordy recognized his talent, and in 1961, Wonder signed with Motown at the young age of 11.

Career

As a minor, Motown established a five-year contract for Wonder, with royalties placed in a trust until he reached 21. Throughout this period, Stevie and his mother received a weekly stipend of $2.50 to cover living expenses, which would be about $21 in today’s currency. At age 11, he debuted with “Tribute to Uncle Ray,” an album featuring covers of Ray Charles’ songs. This was followed by the instrumental album “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie.” Near the end of 1962, he joined the Motortown Revue, and his 20-minute performance at Chicago’s Regal Theater culminated in the 1963 album “Recorded Live: The 12-Year-Old Genius,” featuring the hit single “Fingertips.”

Between 1968 and 1970, Wonder produced several hits such as “I Was Made to Love Her,” “For Once in My Life,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” with the latter being his first self-produced single.

In September 1970, at 20 years old, Wonder married singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright. Together, they collaborated on the album “Where I’m Coming From,” released in 1971. After turning 21 on May 13, 1971, he chose not to renew his contract with Motown.

Subsequently, Wonder negotiated a new contract with Motown Records, setting a precedent for higher royalty rates. He rejoined Motown in March 1972 with “Music of My Mind.” The late 1972 release “Talking Book” yielded the number one hits “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” which collectively earned three Grammy Awards.

“Innervisions,” released in 1973, included the hit “Higher Ground” (No. 4 on the pop charts) and “Living for the City” (No. 8), both achieving the top position on the R&B charts. This album produced three…

The album, which has earned more Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, stands at No. 23 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Wonder is widely recognized for his renowned compositions such as “Superstition,” “Sir Duke,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “My Cherie Amour,” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” His most celebrated albums include “Talking Book,” “Innervisions,” and “Songs in the Key of Life.” With a total of 25 Grammy Awards, he holds the title of the most awarded male solo artist in history. Beyond his musical achievements, Wonder is respected for his activism, notably his 1980 initiative to establish Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday in the United States. By popular vote, he was inducted into The Soul Music Hall of Fame in December 2012.

Personal Life

Wonder’s personal life includes three marriages and nine children from five different women. His first marriage was to Motown singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright in 1970, which ended amicably with a divorce in 1972. He was married to fashion designer Kai Millard between 2001 and 2012, and wed Tomeeka Bracy in 2017.

The oldest of Wonder’s children, Aisha Morris, was born in 1975. Her mother, Yolanda Simmons, met Wonder when she sought a secretarial position at his publishing firm. Aisha inspired Wonder’s famous single “Isn’t She Lovely?” and is also a singer who has toured and recorded with her father. In addition, Wonder and Simmons welcomed a son, Keita, in 1977.

Wonder’s son, Mumtaz Morris, was born in 1983 with Melody McCully. He also has a daughter, Sophia, and a son, Kwame, with a woman whose identity remains undisclosed. Furthermore, he had two sons, Kialand and Mandla, with his second wife, Kai Millard.

His ninth child, Nia, was born in December 2014 with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, making her Wonder’s second child with Bracy; the identity of their first child remains a mystery.

Real Estate

In 2009, Wonder purchased a Mediterranean estate, built in 1928, spanning 4,511 square feet in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles for $2.407 million. He listed this home for $8.199 million four years later.

Later, in December 2021, Wonder acquired a mansion covering 20,000 square feet in the upscale Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles for $14 million, formerly owned by a member of the Saudi Royal Family.