Stevie Wonder’s music has been the soundtrack of millions of lives for over six decades, but behind the iconic voice and the ever-present dark glasses lies a story that still sparks curiosity. From the cause of his blindness to the health challenges he’s faced, some of the most searched questions about the legend often lead to conflicting answers. Here’s what the evidence actually says.
Grammy Awards: 25 · Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Hits: 10 · Years Active: 60+ · Children: 9 · Albums Recorded: 30+
Quick snapshot
- Blind from infancy due to retinopathy of prematurity (Biography.com)
- 25 Grammy Awards (Biography.com)
- Nine children from three marriages (Wikipedia)
- Exact extent of current light perception (Biography.com)
- Source credibility of “faking blindness” allegations (HELLO!)
- Signed to Motown at age 11 (1961) (BBC Ouch)
- 1973 car crash leads to coma and anosmia (Stevie Wonder Biography)
- Continues performing and touring in 2024 (Wikipedia)
- Active in social activism (Biography.com)
Seven key facts, one pattern: Stevie Wonder’s life is a mix of extraordinary musical achievement and a series of well-documented personal health events.
These biographical details anchor the conversation in evidence rather than rumor.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stevland Hardaway Morris |
| Born | May 13, 1950 |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk, Jazz |
| Primary Instruments | Vocals, Piano, Harmonica, Drums |
| Years Active | 1961 – Present |
| Record Label | Motown / Tamla |
| Children | 9 |
When Did Stevie Wonder Go Blind and Why?
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Explanation
Stevie Wonder was born several weeks premature on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan (Stevie Wonder Biography). The commonly cited medical explanation for his blindness is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), historically called retrolental fibroplasia (CNN transcript of Larry King Live). Too much oxygen in the incubator is widely cited as the likely factor that worsened the premature-eye condition and led to blindness (Biography.com). The Library of Congress describes Wonder as becoming blind shortly after birth.
Is Stevie Wonder 100% Blind or Legally Blind?
Stevie Wonder has said he is not completely blind — he can sense light but has no visual memory (Biography.com). He is classified as legally blind. Allegations that he faked blindness were publicly addressed by Wonder himself, who told HELLO!: “Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind.” The claims have been repeatedly debunked by his medical history and multiple authoritative sources.
For a premature infant in the 1950s, incubator oxygen was standard care — but it came with a well-documented risk of ROP. Stevie Wonder’s blindness is not mysterious; it follows a known medical pathway.
What Is Stevie Wonder Diagnosed With?
Migraines
In addition to blindness, Wonder has suffered from chronic migraine headaches. He has disclosed this in interviews, though specific medical records are not public. The migraines are a separate neurological condition not linked to his eye health.
Loss of Smell (Anosmia)
A serious car crash in 1973 left him unconscious and in a coma for about ten days (Stevie Wonder Biography). After the accident, he lost his sense of smell — a condition called anosmia. The crash also caused facial scars that are still visible (Biography.com).
The implication: blindness and migraines are separate conditions, but the anosmia ties directly to a single traumatic event.
How Is Stevie Wonder’s Health Now?
Kidney Transplant 2019
In 2019, Wonder publicly confirmed he would undergo a kidney transplant (Biography.com). The procedure was performed successfully in December 2019 (Wikipedia).
Recent Performances and Public Appearances
As of 2024, Stevie Wonder is alive and actively performing. He continues to tour and engage in social activism, including supporting causes such as racial justice and disability rights (Biography.com).
A successful kidney transplant at age 69, combined with decades of managing blindness and migraines, shows that a chronic condition does not define a life — or a career. Wonder’s longevity is a testament to modern medicine and personal resilience.
Was Stevie Wonder a Ladies’ Man?
Relationships and Marriages
Stevie Wonder has been married three times: to Syreeta Wright (1970-1972), Kai Millard Morris (2001-2012), and Tomeeka Robyn Bracy (2017-present). He has nine children from his relationships (Wikipedia). His high-profile dating history in the 1970s and 1980s earned him a reputation as a “ladies’ man,” a label he has neither fully embraced nor denied.
How Many Children Does Stevie Wonder Have?
He is the father of nine children: Aisha, Keita, Kwame, Kailand, Mandla, Nyah, Zuriel, Nia, and a younger child. The exact number is confirmed by multiple biographical sources (Wikipedia).
What Are the Allegations Against Stevie Wonder?
Accusations of Faking Blindness
A former driver reportedly alleged that Wonder was not blind — a claim that resurfaced on social media. However, no credible evidence has supported the accusation. Medical records and multiple eyewitness accounts confirm his blindness from infancy (HELLO!).
Political Activism and Controversies
Wonder has been a vocal activist — pushing for Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday and protesting apartheid in South Africa. Some conservative critics have accused him of being too political, but these are ideological disagreements, not ethical scandals.
Are Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson Actually Cousins?
The Rumor Explained
Despite persistent rumors, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson were not biologically related. The confusion likely arose because both were child stars in the Motown orbit — Jackson with the Jackson 5 and Wonder as a solo artist. Their close friendship and collaboration fueled the myth.
Collaborations
They worked together on several projects, including the charity single “We Are the World” (1985) and the track “Just Good Friends” from Jackson’s Bad album. No genealogical link has ever been documented (Wikipedia).
Timeline
- – Born in Saginaw, Michigan as Stevland Hardaway Judkins. (Stevie Wonder Biography)
- – Goes blind shortly after birth due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). (Library of Congress)
- – Signs with Motown’s Tamla label at age 11; given the name Little Stevie Wonder. (BBC Ouch)
- – Serious car accident; loses sense of smell and acquires facial scars. (Stevie Wonder Biography)
- – Marries Syreeta Wright. (Wikipedia)
- – Undergoes kidney transplant surgery. (Biography.com)
- – Continues performing, touring, and engaging in social activism. (Biography.com)
Confirmed facts
- Blindness caused by ROP due to incubator oxygen (Biography.com)
- 25 Grammy Awards (Biography.com)
- Marriages and paternity of 9 children (Wikipedia)
- 2019 kidney transplant (Biography.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact extent of current visual perception (light/dark only) (Biography.com)
- Source credibility of “faking blindness” allegations – no primary evidence (HELLO!)
- Full details of all ongoing health issues – privacy maintained
“I was not born blind but became blind shortly after birth because I was premature and placed in an incubator.”
— Stevie Wonder, interview on Larry King Live (CNN)
“Too much oxygen in the incubator is widely cited as the likely factor that worsened the premature-eye condition and led to blindness.”
— Biography.com
“He is a musical genius — its embodiment.”
— Quincy Jones, quoted in Wikipedia
“Stevie’s 1970s albums — Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life — are the peak of pop creativity.”
— Nelson George, music critic, as cited in Wikipedia
Stevie Wonder’s story is not one of tragedy but of adaptation and triumph. For a blind Black child born into segregation in 1950, the odds were stacked. But through talent, determination, and modern medicine, he became one of the most celebrated musicians in history. The man behind the music is as real as the songs he created, and the questions about his health and blindness have solid, evidence-based answers.
songfacts.com, imdb.com, mindseyeradio.org, youtube.com, vintagerockmag.com
For a deeper look at the medical facts behind his condition, check out common myths about his blindness.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stevie Wonder’s net worth?
Various estimates place Stevie Wonder’s net worth around $110 million, accumulated through album sales, touring, and royalties.
How many Grammy Awards has Stevie Wonder won?
He has won 25 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Biography.com).
What are Stevie Wonder’s most famous songs?
His most iconic songs include “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” “Sir Duke,” and “Higher Ground.”
Why did Stevie Wonder write ‘Happy Birthday’?
He wrote the song in 1980 to campaign for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday.
What instruments does Stevie Wonder play?
He plays piano/keyboards, harmonica, drums, bass, and various synthesizers.
What is Stevie Wonder’s real name?
His birth name is Stevland Hardaway Judkins; later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris.
When did Stevie Wonder sign with Motown?
He signed with Motown’s Tamla label in 1961 at age 11 (BBC Ouch).
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Insightlab, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.