Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who has amassed an estimated net worth of $200 million as of 2024. He is considered one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century and has had an enormously successful career.
Stevie Wonder Net Worth
Table of Contents
Stevie Wonder has amassed an immense net worth estimated at $200 million as of 2024. He is known as one of the most successful musicians of all time. Besides, he has been legally blind since shortly after birth. However, Wonder became a musical prodigy in the 1960s, signing with Motown Records and releasing his first #1 hit, “Fingertips Pt. 2,” at age 12.
He became one of Motown’s most influential artists, writing and producing his songs to gain creative control over his music. Also, he has massively popular albums like Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs. Wonder cemented his status as a critical and commercial titan in the 1970s.
He churned out a streak of number-one singles like “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Sir Duke” during this fertile creative period. As one of Motown’s best-selling acts, Stevie Wonder earned millions in royalties and commercial endorsements at his peak. Also, he has sold over 100 million records.
He eventually left Motown in the 1980s, signing a $13 million contract with Motown Records and a $12 million contract with Wonderland Records while retaining ownership of his music. Soundtrack work, like his Oscar-winning song “I Just Called to Say I Love You” for The Woman in Red, added to his wealth.
Early Life and Education
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known professionally as Stevie Wonder, was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. He was born prematurely, weighing just 4.5 pounds at birth. Due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity, Wonder became blind shortly after birth.
Despite his blindness, Wonder became immersed in music early, learning to play piano, harmonica, and drums by age 9.
Wonder signed with Motown Records’ Tamla label at age 11 and was regarded as a child prodigy. He had his first hit single at age 12 with “Fingertips (Pt. 2)”.
Wonder attended the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, where he honed his musical talents. He later enrolled at the Kent State College of Fine and Professional Arts but left early to pursue his musical career.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Wonder’s musical career took off in the 1960s as part of the Motown label. His early hits included “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” “With a Child’s Heart,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” By the decade’s end, Wonder had become a major star with songs like “For Once in My Life” and “My Cherie Amour.”
The 1970s marked Wonder’s peak rise to fame and commercial success. He began to take more control over his recordings, writing and producing his music, and playing multiple instruments. Wonder’s albums from this period included the classics Music of My Mind (1972) and Talking Book (1972), which generated major hits such as “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
His seminal 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life was wildly successful and brought Wonder two Grammy Awards. He also co-wrote the song “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul McCartney in 1982, which became a huge hit. Throughout the 1980s, Wonder turned out popular, socially conscious albums and hit singles. He was a key figure in American pop music and an influential songwriter who won multiple Grammy Awards.
Source of Income
Stevie Wonder’s massive personal fortune can be attributed to various income sources throughout his long and successful music career. His record sales alone earned Wonder a huge stream of royalties.
As one of Motown’s most popular artists, he sold over 100 million records worldwide, including multiple chart-topping albums that went multi-platinum. Tours consistently brought in millions, as Wonder performed globally at packed venues and festivals.
Wonder also profited as a talented songwriter and producer, earning money through songwriting credits and production royalties even when he wasn’t the performer. Wise business ventures like becoming a part-owner in the radio station KJLH diversified his revenue beyond the music industry.
Business Ventures and Works
Wonder has undertaken several business ventures and projects. He launched his record label, Black Bull Music, in 1994. He has also invested in radio stations and became a part-owner of KJLH in Los Angeles.
An activist for social causes, Wonder campaigned for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, which became a national American holiday and was finally signed into law in 1983. He has also been involved in AIDS prevention causes and pushed for legislation such as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Some of Wonder’s notable later works include his Oscar-nominated soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film Jungle Fever in 1991. He was also the first Motown artist to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Just Called to Say I Love You” from the movie Woman in Red.
In 2009, Wonder became the second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song recipient. He performed at the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Paralympics and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for the Queen in 2012. Overall, Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, cementing his legacy as one of the most-awarded musicians ever.
Personal Life
Stevie Wonder has been married three times and has nine children. He married Syreeta Wright in 1970 and divorced two years later in 1972. He married fashion designer Kai Millard Morris in 2001 but filed for divorce in 2012. In 2017, Wonder married Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, with whom he had two children before their marriage.
Wonder experienced a serious car accident in 1973, which left him in a four-day coma. The crash profoundly influenced his songwriting in later years, as he became more introspective with albums like Fullfillingness’ First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life reflecting his near-death experience.
Philanthropy
Stevie Wonder has been dedicated to humanitarian causes and philanthropy work throughout his career. He has used his wealth and celebrity influence to support charitable organizations and initiatives.
In the 1980s, Wonder played a key role in lobbying for legislation to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday in the United States. His efforts were instrumental in the eventual establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Wonder has remained an advocate for the civil rights movement throughout his life.
The singer has also donated to and raised money for groups providing services for blind people or working on vision cure research. These include organizations like the Orientation and Adjustment Center for the Blind and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. His charity work aligns with his personal experiences of blindness from birth.
FAQs on Stevie Wonder Net Worth
What is Stevie Wonder’s net worth?
Stevie Wonder has an estimated net worth of $200 million as of 2024. He accumulated his wealth over a remarkably successful music career.
How did Stevie Wonder become blind?
Stevie Wonder was born blind. He was born prematurely and developed a condition called retinopathy of prematurity, which left him without sight six weeks after birth.
How many Grammy awards has Stevie Wonder won?
Stevie Wonder has won an astounding 25 Grammy Awards over his prolific career, cementing him as one of the most awarded artists ever. He has won several Grammys for Best R&B Song, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance.
Is Stevie Wonder still performing?
Stevie Wonder continues to perform and tour periodically. He headlined festivals recently and still delivers energetic live shows packed with his classic hit songs.
Bottom Line
Wonder lives an active lifestyle and continues performing well into his 60s and 70s. He is a practicing vegan and supports causes such as gun control and abortion rights. His critical reputation as an innovative musician and vocal supporter of social justice remains steadfast.
With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Stevie Wonder’s artistic and cultural impact has been immense over his successful career. His net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, confirming his status as one of the most commercially successful musicians of the 20th century.
