• Faith: Christian
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  May 13, 1950

Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, is one of the most influential and beloved figures in American music history. A musical prodigy from an early age, Wonder overcame the challenges of blindness and poverty to rise to international fame, using his extraordinary gifts not only to entertain but to inspire, advocate, and uplift.

Wonder was born six weeks premature, and complications from the oxygen-rich incubator used after birth led to retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that caused permanent blindness. When he was just four years old, his parents divorced, and his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, moved the family to Detroit, Michigan. There, Wonder’s life began to take shape. He grew up attending Whitestone Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and became a soloist by the age of eight. Music became his outlet and his calling, and he soon taught himself to play a variety of instruments, including piano, harmonica, and drums.

By age 11, his talent caught the attention of Ronnie White of the Miracles, who arranged an audition with Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. Gordy signed him immediately and gave him the stage name "Little Stevie Wonder," recognizing the boy’s extraordinary abilities. His first major hit came with “Fingertips (Part 2)” in 1963, which made him the youngest artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That early success launched a career that would span decades and redefine the boundaries of popular music.

In the 1970s, Wonder reached new creative heights with a series of groundbreaking albums including Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). These works fused soul, funk, jazz, and pop into innovative soundscapes that tackled deep social and spiritual themes, from racism and poverty to love and faith. His 1975 contract with Motown set a new precedent in the music industry, giving him full artistic control and a $13 million advance—the largest contract of its kind at the time.

Over the years, Wonder has received countless honors, including 25 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2014, recognizing both his contributions to music and his social impact.

Beyond his musical achievements, Stevie Wonder became a passionate advocate for social justice. He played a pivotal role in the campaign to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday, using his fame to bring awareness and unity. His activism and humanitarianism earned him not only awards but immense respect across generations.

Wonder’s personal life has also been rich and complex. He has been married three times and is the father of nine children from five different relationships. His first marriage was to singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright in 1970. Although the marriage ended in 1972, the pair remained close and collaborated musically. With Yolanda Simmons, Wonder had two children: Aisha Morris, born in 1975, who inspired the timeless hit “Isn’t She Lovely,” and Keita Morris, born in 1977. He had another son, Mumtaz Morris, in 1983 with Melody McCully.

In 2001, Wonder married fashion designer Kai Millard. The couple had two sons together—Kailand and Mandla—before divorcing in 2012. In 2017, he married Tomeeka Robyn Bracy. Together, they have two children: Zaiah and Nyah. Throughout his life, Wonder has remained close to his children, and several of them have followed creative pursuits in music, fashion, and entertainment. His family has often been a source of inspiration and strength, grounding him even as he reached global fame.

Is Stevie Wonder religious?

Central to Stevie Wonder’s life and music is his deep Christian faith. Raised in the Baptist church, Wonder has consistently credited God with his talent, success, and resilience. His spiritual convictions are reflected in many of his songs, perhaps most directly in “Have a Talk with God” from Songs in the Key of Life. This track, among others, speaks to his belief in the importance of prayer, divine guidance, and personal relationship with God.

Wonder's Christianity is not just private—it’s something he lives out publicly. In 2015, he made headlines by attending a service at New Salem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where he sang hymns and donated $10,000 to the church. Over the years, he has expressed how his faith helped him persevere through personal trials, including navigating life as a blind man, enduring public scrutiny, and managing the challenges of fame. His unwavering belief in a higher power has helped sustain him through more than six decades in the spotlight.

As a devout Baptist, Stevie Wonder often speaks of love, justice, and peace—values deeply rooted in his faith—as the guiding principles in his music and activism. His life is a testament to the power of belief, not just in God, but in the betterment of humanity. That same spirit has fueled his support for civil rights, his work in charitable causes, and his tireless pursuit of excellence.