Looks like Stevie Wonder was right: when you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer.
Arnold Schoenberg, in addition to composing influential orchestral pieces, was incredibly superstitious. Specifically, he had triskaidekaphobia, or an extreme fear of the number 13.
Because of this fear, Schoenberg only referred to the number as 12A and dreaded years that were a multiple of 13. In fact, he was so scared of his 65th birthday in 1939 that his friend had to prepare a horoscope saying he would not die during it.
However, on his 76th birthday, Schoenberg received a note stating that this year was a critical one. According to the note, the composer needed to watch out because, when added together, 7 and 6 equaled 13.
In response to the note, Schoenberg spent the entire day in bed, growing sick with anxiety and depression. Sadly, 15 minutes before midnight, Schoenberg’s body gave out and the composer died.
Though some may blame Schoenberg’s death on the number 13, it was more likely caused by his extreme fear of the number. Had he spent the day calm and collected, Schoenberg may well have lived many more years
One thing is certain, however: don’t let superstitions control your life.
