Stevie Wonder, recognized as one of the most successful recording artists in history, has truly experienced a remarkable journey in the music industry. This legendary figure has not only captivated audiences with his extraordinary talent but also shaped the landscape of musical genres including R&B, pop, and soul.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1950, Wonder’s passion for music ignited at an incredibly young age. By the time he was just 11 years old, he had already secured a record deal. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, a compelling vocalist, and an innovative songwriter, Wonder quickly established himself as a significant presence in the music scene. Within a few years, he emerged as a chart-topping artist on the trajectory to becoming one of the most awarded musicians in history, though it’s essential to note that for Wonder, the accolades were not his primary motivation.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2004, he expressed his profound love for music, stating, “I’m a lover of music, constantly curious about the sounds I hear.” He elaborated on his creative drive, saying, “It isn’t about selling millions of CDs or making millions of dollars. God has given me an incredible gift — the gift of music — and it’s a blessing that’s self-contained. I can go anywhere in the world with absolutely nothing and I can still find a keyboard and play. No matter what, no one can take that away from me.”

While Stevie Wonder’s fame is well-known, there are numerous intriguing aspects about him that may surprise you. Here are ten remarkable facts.

1. Discovering His Birth Name: Stevland Hardaway Morris

Let’s begin with a straightforward yet fascinating fact: Wonder’s birth name was Stevland Hardaway Judkins. However, after signing with Motown Records in 1961, his legal surname was changed to Morris, which is reportedly an old family name. It was Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, who bestowed the iconic stage name Stevie Wonder upon him. In a 1990 interview with Rolling Stone, Gordy reflected, “When I first saw Stevie, I did not think that he was a great singer. He was 10 or 11 years old, and he was not anything that special with his voice, but his talent was great. His harmonica playing was phenomenal. But I was worried that when he got to 13 or 14, his voice would change and we wouldn’t even have that. But lucky for us, it changed for the better.”

2. The Near Cancellation of ‘Songs in the Key of Life’

Imagine a world devoid of the groundbreaking 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. This iconic collection gave us unforgettable tracks like “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” Surprisingly, the existence of this monumental work was nearly jeopardized when, in 1975, Wonder contemplated leaving the music industry entirely to move to Ghana to assist children with disabilities. While this noble intention was commendable, Wonder ultimately chose to pursue his passion for music, resulting in one of the most significant R&B albums ever produced. He later became a citizen of Ghana in 2024 and currently resides there.

3. Youngest Artist to Achieve a No. 1 Hit

Securing a No. 1 hit song is an incredible achievement, but achieving this feat at the tender age of 13 is even more impressive. Stevie Wonder accomplished this milestone with his hit “Fingertips” in 1963, making him the youngest artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A fun tidbit: the legendary Marvin Gaye played the drums on that iconic track, both in studio recordings and live performances.

4. The Grammy Legend with 25 Wins

As of May 2025, Stevie Wonder holds an impressive position as the eighth artist with the most Grammy Awards in history, boasting a total of 25 wins. He was also honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Wonder is among an elite group of artists who have won the Grammy for Album of the Year at least three times as the primary credited artist, alongside notable names like Taylor Swift, Paul Simon, and Frank Sinatra.

5. A Remarkable Story: He Was Not Born Blind

Interestingly, Stevie Wonder was not born blind. He entered the world six weeks premature, and his eyesight was compromised due to an excess of oxygen administered in his hospital incubator, leading to a condition known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This condition affects eye development and can damage the retina. Despite his blindness, Wonder has never allowed this to hinder his ambitions or aspirations. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, he remarked, “It’s funny, but I never thought of being blind as a disadvantage, and I never thought of being Black as a disadvantage. I am what I am. I love me! And I don’t mean that egotistically – I love that God has allowed me to take whatever it was that I had and to make something out of it.”

6. The Pioneer of the E-MU Emulator

One of the unique advantages of being Stevie Wonder is that he was the inaugural musician to possess the E-MU Emulator sampling synthesizer, which he received in the early 1980s. This groundbreaking instrument later became popular among other high-profile artists, including David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Yes. In fact, the very first unit — serial number 001 — had initially been promised to Daryl Dragon of Captain and Tennille, but Wonder’s fame and influence secured it for him instead. For Wonder, it became an essential tool to bring his creative visions to life in the studio. He expressed his desire for an instrument that allowed him to “bend sounds” and “be more creative, not just have them be sterile sounds,” in a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone.

7. A Life-Altering Car Accident in 1973

On August 6, 1973, just three days after the release of his critically acclaimed album Innervisions, Wonder was involved in a devastating car accident that left him in a coma for four days. At the time, he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his cousin John Wesley Harris when they collided with the back of a flatbed truck outside Salisbury, North Carolina. This tragic event resulted in a partial loss of his sense of smell and a temporary loss of taste. Thankfully, he eventually regained both senses and returned to performing, even though he was advised against it by doctors, in November of 1973.

8. The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday as a Federal Holiday

The first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in 1986, occurring on the third Monday of January each year. Wonder played a pivotal role in making this a reality. In 1979, he reached out to King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, expressing his vision for a song that would help promote the establishment of a national holiday in honor of Dr. King. He recounted to CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2011, “I said to her, you know, ‘I had a dream about this song. And I imagined in this dream I was doing this song. We were marching, too, with petition signs to make for Dr. King’s birthday to become a national holiday.'” Although Coretta was initially uncertain, Wonder later released a tribute single titled “Happy Birthday,” which became a rallying cry for the campaign. The efforts led to thousands of signatures being collected, and both Wonder and Coretta testified before Congress, ultimately leading to the holiday’s establishment.

9. Grammy History: The Only Artist with Three Consecutive Album of the Year Wins

Stevie Wonder’s remarkable achievements at the Grammys extend beyond his multiple wins; he holds a unique distinction as the only artist to win the Album of the Year award for three consecutive albums. These groundbreaking works include Innervisions (1974), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1975), and Songs in the Key of Life (1977). His exceptional impact on the music industry is underscored by this incredible accomplishment.

10. Embracing a Vegan Lifestyle

What fuels the legendary Stevie Wonder? His commitment to a vegan diet has played a significant role in his lifestyle for several years. He stated, “People have to make their choices in life, and I say for me, it feels good to not eat meat.” He emphasizes the importance of making healthy choices for one’s body and shared his belief that the fruits and plants of the Earth were created for our sustenance, noting, “when I read my word [God’s word], it talks about how the fruit and the various plants of the Earth were made for us to perpetuate our lives – I like that.”