Stevie Wonder Reveals Health Issues to Concert Crowd, Will Take Break for Life-Saving Surgery
Stevie Wonder has served as an inspiration to many people, both as a musician and a person. According to Biography.com, he was born blind — which is generally the one thing that people know about him first.
But Wonder didn’t let that disability define him. Instead, he transformed a childhood fascination with music into a history-making career, selling more than 100 million albums and netting scores of Grammys.
Now 69-year-old Wonder is facing another health challenge and doing so with his usual aplomb. According to MLive.com, he interrupted a concert in London with some shocking news.
“I want to let you know one thing because I don’t want you to hear about it. I don’t want to have any rumors about it so I’m telling you because I like to keep it real with you all the time,” he said.
“I’m having surgery. I’m going to have a kidney transplant in September of this year.”
An audible moan of surprise went up from the crowd as Wonder made the announcement. He also announced that he’ll perform three additional shows before going on his medical hiatus.
He also reassured his fans that this wasn’t due to anything overly serious. “I came here to give you my love and to thank you for your love,” he added.
“You ain’t gonna hear no rumors about nothing. I told you what’s up.”
His friends and confidants second that assessment. Fellow musician Joan Belgrave, who has known Wonder since he was in his teens, is happy and at peace.
“He’s in great spirits. You would never know anything is going on,” she said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“That’s how he wants it, and that’s how he wants to keep it. He’s making music and doing what he does, and that’s what he wants to focus on.”
Part of the reason for Wonder’s announcement must stem from recent rumors that have begun to swirl around the state of the musician’s health. In late June, WDAS gossip host Patty Jackson stated in a YouTube video that Wonder’s kidneys had failed and that he needed dialysis.
Shelley Selover, Wonder’s publicist, failed to confirm or deny the rumor. However, she did say, “Please know that nothing is verified unless it comes directly from us.”
Whatever his woes, Wonder plans on taking care of them — and doing so quietly. “He’s got some health challenges, but he doesn’t want a big PR thing out of this,” Belgrave said.
“He knows what he has to do to get himself together, and he’s doing it. He’s got a team around him,” she clarified.
“That’s what he needs. He’s got people around him who love him.”
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
