Stevie Wonder

Wonder was married to Motown singer and songwriter Syreeta Wright from 1970 until their divorce in 1972. He married fashion designer Kai Millard Morris in 2001, and their divorce was finalized in 2015. He has been married to Tomeeka Robyn Bracy since 2017.

Wonder has nine children. His daughter Aisha, born in 1975 to Yolanda Simmons, inspired the song "Isn't She Lovely," and Simmons also had a son, Keita, with Wonder. His other children include Mumtaz, Sophia, Kwame, Kailand, Mandla, Nia, and Zaiah.

Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, Wonder developed musical abilities during childhood in Detroit, teaching himself piano, harmonica, and drums before he was 10. He sang in a church choir and was introduced to Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. by Ronnie White of the Miracles. Motown signed him when he was 11, giving him the name Little Stevie Wonder.

Wonder released The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder and Tribute to Uncle Ray in 1962. His live album The 12 Year Old Genius produced "Fingertips, Pt. 2," which became his first No. 1 song on both the pop and R&B charts. He also appeared in the films Muscle Beach Party and Bikini Beach in 1964.

As his voice changed, Wonder dropped "Little" from his stage name and moved toward more ambitious songwriting. Songs such as "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "I Was Made to Love Her," "My Cherie Amour," and "For Once in My Life" established him as a performer and composer rather than simply a child novelty act.

Wonder negotiated a new Motown contract in 1971 that gave him broad creative control over his recordings. Where I'm Coming From marked the first time he wrote or co-wrote every song on one of his albums. His subsequent work increasingly addressed politics, poverty, spirituality, and other social issues.

The albums Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life formed the central run of his most acclaimed work. Talking Book included the No. 1 hits "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," while Innervisions featured "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City."

Released in 1976, Songs in the Key of Life produced the No. 1 songs "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" and included "Isn't She Lovely." Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life each won the Grammy Award for album of the year. Wonder also worked with artists including Minnie Riperton, Rufus, and Chaka Khan during this period.

Wonder continued his commercial success with the albums Hotter Than July and In Square Circle. The former included "Master Blaster (Jammin')" and "Happy Birthday," his tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. He also joined Paul McCartney for "Ebony and Ivory," a No. 1 single from McCartney's Tug of War.

His 1984 soundtrack for The Woman in Red included "I Just Called to Say I Love You," which became Motown's biggest international hit and won the Academy Award for best original song. In 1985, "Part-Time Lover" became the first song to reach No. 1 on the pop, R&B, adult contemporary, and dance charts.

Wonder later composed music for Spike Lee's film Jungle Fever, including the songs "Gotta Have You," "Fun Day," and "These Three Words." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Wonder played a prominent role in the campaign to establish a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. His song "Happy Birthday" became part of that effort. He also performed on the charity singles "We Are the World" and "That's What Friends Are For," and dedicated his Academy Award to anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela.

His advocacy has included improving services for blind people and people with disabilities. In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace and received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, and Wonder received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

After a 10-year recording hiatus, Wonder released A Time to Love in 2005, with guest appearances by India.Arie, Doug E. Fresh, Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, and Prince. He later recorded "Faith" with Ariana Grande and wrote "Future Sunny Days" for the finale of Scandal.