Stevland Hardaway Judkins, known professionally as Stevie Wonder, was born premature and blind in 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He was discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles and signed to Motown Records at age 11, going on to release numerous hit singles and albums in the 1960s-1980s that earned him critical and commercial success, including 25 Grammys. Wonder remains one of the top 60 best-selling artists of all time with over 30 top ten hits and continues music and activism work today.

1. STEVIE WONDERSTEVIE WONDER
The Life of a LegendThe Life of a Legend

2. Stevland Hardaway JudkinsStevland Hardaway Judkins
• Born May 13, 1950 inBorn May 13, 1950 in
Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw, Michigan
• Son of Lula Mae HardawaySon of Lula Mae Hardaway
and Calvin Judkinsand Calvin Judkins
• After Lula left Calvin Stevie’sAfter Lula left Calvin Stevie’s
surname was changed tosurname was changed to
MorrisMorris
• Born premature, Stevie wentBorn premature, Stevie went
blind due to stunted growth inblind due to stunted growth in
the blood vessels in his eyesthe blood vessels in his eyes
and heightened oxygen in theand heightened oxygen in the
incubatorincubator

3. Little Stevie WonderLittle Stevie Wonder
• Discovered by Ronnie White ofDiscovered by Ronnie White of
the band the Miracles, who’sthe band the Miracles, who’s
brother brought him to seebrother brought him to see
Stevie playStevie play
• Ronnie Introduced him toRonnie Introduced him to
Berry Gordy Jr., founder ofBerry Gordy Jr., founder of
Motown RecordsMotown Records
• Signed at 11 years oldSigned at 11 years old
• Released his first albumReleased his first album LittleLittle
Stevie Wonder 12 Year OldStevie Wonder 12 Year Old
GeniusGenius in 1962in 1962
• His first single ‘Fingertips’ inHis first single ‘Fingertips’ in
1963 was an instant hit1963 was an instant hit
• Leads him into his prime of theLeads him into his prime of the
70s and 80s70s and 80s

4. 70s Hit Machine70s Hit Machine
• Stevie was turning out a new albumStevie was turning out a new album
practically yearly throughout thepractically yearly throughout the
decadedecade
• Released several of his most famousReleased several of his most famous
singles including ‘Superstition’, ‘Isingles including ‘Superstition’, ‘I
Wish’, “Higher Ground’, ‘Livin’ for theWish’, “Higher Ground’, ‘Livin’ for the
City’ and ‘Sir Duke’. All hitting numberCity’ and ‘Sir Duke’. All hitting number
#1 in the U.S. and charting very high in#1 in the U.S. and charting very high in
the U.K.the U.K.
• In 1972 he toured with The RollingIn 1972 he toured with The Rolling
StonesStones
• November 18, 1974 was declaredNovember 18, 1974 was declared
Stevie Wonder day in Los AngelesStevie Wonder day in Los Angeles
• One of his most famous albumsOne of his most famous albums SongsSongs
in the Key of Lifein the Key of Life debuts at #1 on popdebuts at #1 on pop
and R&B chartsand R&B charts
• 14 Grammies were won throughout he14 Grammies were won throughout he
decade – 5 in 1974, 5 in 1975 and 4 indecade – 5 in 1974, 5 in 1975 and 4 in
19771977

5. 80s Don’t Slow Down80s Don’t Slow Down
• Begins campaign to make MartinBegins campaign to make Martin
Luther King’s birthday a nationalLuther King’s birthday a national
holiday – bill passed in 1983holiday – bill passed in 1983
• Purchases L.A. radio station KHLHPurchases L.A. radio station KHLH
• Works with Paul McCartney on ‘EbonyWorks with Paul McCartney on ‘Ebony
and Ivory’and Ivory’
• More #1 albums and singles includingMore #1 albums and singles including
‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ (first‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ (first
#1 in the U.K.),#1 in the U.K.), CharacterCharacter albumalbum, In, In
Square CircleSquare Circle albumalbum
• 1985 Oscar for ‘I Just Called to Say I1985 Oscar for ‘I Just Called to Say I
Love You’Love You’
• 1986 Grammy for ‘That’s What Friends1986 Grammy for ‘That’s What Friends
Are For’ with Dionne, Elton and GladysAre For’ with Dionne, Elton and Gladys
• 1989 induction into the Rock n’ Roll1989 induction into the Rock n’ Roll
Hall of FameHall of Fame
• Grammies keep coming in theGrammies keep coming in the
upcoming decadesupcoming decades

6. Notable AwardsNotable Awards
• 25 Grammy Awards, including25 Grammy Awards, including
a Grammy Lifetimea Grammy Lifetime
Achievement AwardAchievement Award
• 1989 inducted into the Rock n’1989 inducted into the Rock n’
Roll Hall of FameRoll Hall of Fame
• Academy Award and GoldenAcademy Award and Golden
Globe for best original songGlobe for best original song
• Billboard Music Century AwardBillboard Music Century Award
• Multiple American MusicMultiple American Music
AwardsAwards
• Multiple BET Honors AwardsMultiple BET Honors Awards
• Multiple NAACP AwardsMultiple NAACP Awards
• Soul Train AwardSoul Train Award

7. Family ManFamily Man
• Stevie is 1 of 6 childrenStevie is 1 of 6 children
• He has 9 Children of his own –He has 9 Children of his own –
oldest 39, youngest just 1 year oldoldest 39, youngest just 1 year old
• Married twice - first to SyreetaMarried twice - first to Syreeta
Wright, then to Kai MillardWright, then to Kai Millard
• 2 children with Kai2 children with Kai
• 5 children with 2 ex-girlfriends –5 children with 2 ex-girlfriends –
Yolanda Simmons and MelodyYolanda Simmons and Melody
McCullyMcCully
• 2 children with current fiancé,2 children with current fiancé,
Tomeekah Robyn BracyTomeekah Robyn Bracy

8. Little Known FactsLittle Known Facts
• Marvin Gaye played drums on Stevie’sMarvin Gaye played drums on Stevie’s
first single ‘Fingertips’first single ‘Fingertips’
• Stevie was a leader in declaring MartinStevie was a leader in declaring Martin
Luther King’s birthday a nationalLuther King’s birthday a national
holidayholiday
• In 1973 he was in a serious carIn 1973 he was in a serious car
accident that put him in a coma for tenaccident that put him in a coma for ten
days and caused him to permanentlydays and caused him to permanently
lose his sense of smell and temporarilylose his sense of smell and temporarily
lose his tastelose his taste
• Refers to his alter ego as DJ Tick TickRefers to his alter ego as DJ Tick Tick
BoomBoom
• In 1976 signed a $13 million deal withIn 1976 signed a $13 million deal with
Motown, the largest recording deal inMotown, the largest recording deal in
history at that timehistory at that time
• Current net worth of $110 millionCurrent net worth of $110 million

9. Man of Many HatsMan of Many Hats
• Plays drums, keyboards,Plays drums, keyboards,
harmonicaharmonica
• Musician, songwriter, singer,Musician, songwriter, singer,
producerproducer
• Has written over 80 songs forHas written over 80 songs for
others including Marvin Gaye,others including Marvin Gaye,
Smokey Robinson, TheSmokey Robinson, The
Supremes and TheSupremes and The
TemptationsTemptations
• Has had over 30 top ten hitsHas had over 30 top ten hits
• Ten #1 hitsTen #1 hits
• One of the top 60 best-sellingOne of the top 60 best-selling
artists of ALL TIMEartists of ALL TIME

10. SourcesSources
• http://www.allmusic.com/artist/stevie-wonder-mhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/stevie-wonder-m
• http://www.steviewonder.org.uk/bio/life-storieshttp://www.steviewonder.org.uk/bio/life-stories
• http://www.biography.com/people/stevie-http://www.biography.com/people/stevie-
wonder-9536078wonder-9536078
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005567/bihttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005567/bi
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