Before getting married to his current wife, Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, in 2017, Stevie Wonder was once married to Kai Millard Morris from 2001 to 2015. Their divorce proceedings stretched on, as the pair actually split in 2009.
Despite his drama-filled personal life, Wonder remains on good terms with his ex, and he shares good relationships with all of his children. Fans can see proof of this on social media, where both Millard Morris and Wonder post about their sons.
Born on May 13, 1950, in Michigan, he was once known as Stevland Hardaway Judkins. He took on the name Stevie Wonder and is best known as a musician responsible for some of the most iconic hits like “My Cherie Amour.”
Wonder was born prematurely, six weeks earlier than his mother’s expected due date. This caused a complication called retinopathy, an eye disorder caused by too much oxygen in his incubator that led to blindness.
The singer made his recording debut at 11 years old, making him a child prodigy. He released “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder,” which he worked on with Motown songwriter Clarence Paul.
Wonder lucked out when he was discovered by Ronnie White of Motown’s The Miracles before auditioning with Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr who did not hesitate to give him a record deal.
A CHART-TOPPING MUSIC SUPERSTAR
His first number 1 hit on the US Billboard Charts was for “Fingertips” when he was only 13 years old. This makes him the youngest artist ever to top the charts.
Since then, he went on to have several number 1 songs on the R&B and pop charts throughout several decades and has received many accolades from several award-giving bodies. In addition to his exceptional vocals, Wonder has also tackled social issues through his music.
Wonder pushed for a national holiday to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a celebration he sang about in his song “Happy Birthday” from Hotter Than July.
When he won an Oscar, he also dedicated it to anti-apartheid activist and then-future-president Nelson Mandela. He is also an advocate for improving available services for persons with disabilities.
MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS
Wonder has also used his talent for good, performing on the hit single “We Are the World” to raise funds for famine relief in Africa and “That’s What Friends Are For” with Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Although the singer filed for divorce in 2012, he revealed that he and his estranged wife had actually been separated since October 2009.
AN EVENTFUL PERSONAL LIFE
The same way his career has been eventful, his personal life has been the same way, too. He has a total of nine children from his many relationships throughout his life.
In 1970, Wonder married fellow Motown singer Syreeta Wright, but their marriage was short-lived, and they filed for divorce two years later. By 1975, he welcomed his first child, Aisha, with Yolanda Simmons.
Wonder and Wright then had another son, Keita, born two years after Aisha. In 1983, Wonder welcomed his son Mumtaz through his relationship with Melody McCulley, his then-girlfriend.
Their relationship did not last long, and Wonder had a daughter, Sophia, and a son, Kwame, with an undisclosed woman. He then married Karen Milla-Morris, best known as Kai Milla, twice in 2000 and again in 2001.
Milla is a fashion designer from Washington DC. She studied fine arts at the Corcoran College of Art and Design before moving to New York in her second year of college to become an art director.
In 2000, she moved to Los Angeles after getting married to Wonder at a destination wedding in the Bahamas. They re-married in Los Angeles a year later, the same year they welcomed their first child.
In 2005, Milla launched her own ready-to-wear collection at the New York Fashion Week, making her a powerhouse designer quickly favored by many. By 2009, she was designing clothing for then-First Lady Michelle Obama.
Wonder and Milla welcomed two sons, Kailand, born in September 2001, and Mandla, born in May 2005. Unfortunately, four years after the birth of their second son, the pair separated.
Although the singer filed for divorce in 2012, he revealed that he and his estranged wife had actually been separated since October 2009. Wonder cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for divorce and requested joint custody of their sons.
There was no argument between Wonder and Milla regarding monetary support, as the musician clearly stated that he would pay both spousal and child support.
HIS PRICEY CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
Three years later, a Los Angeles judge finalized the divorce between the ex-couple. The judge granted Milla and Wonder joint custody of their two sons, but the wealthy singer was asked to pay over $20,000 in child support every month.
Before their divorce was finalized, Wonder went on to have a relationship with Bracy, his current wife. The pair welcomed a daughter, Nia, who is often seen on her famous dad’s Instagram.
Although Milla and Wonder are separated, they remain amicable. In fact, now that their children are all grown up, they’ve followed in their parent’s footsteps into the entertainment industry.
Both Kailand and Mandla are models and have modeled alongside both Wonder and Milla. The proud mom would often share photos of their modeling gigs, which includes both of her kids being on the front cover of Odda magazine with her ex-husband.
The same way Wonder shares a tight-knit relationship with his children with Milla, he also has the same bond with the rest of his children. They often spend time with each other, as seen on social media, moments shared by his children and wife on social media.