Where and when was Pele born? Looking at Pele’s childhood

Where and when was Pele born? Looking at Pele’s childhood

Helix Odhiambo
updated at July 13, 2023 at 4:16 PM

Pelé was a legendary soccer player who conquered the game. Many football pundits, experts and fans consider him the king of the sport. He came from a humble beginning and rose to stardom. Where and when was Pelé born and raised? Is he still alive? This article documents his biography.

When was Pele born?
Pele comes onto the pitch at halftime during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on 22 March 2015 in Liverpool, England. Photo: John Powell
Source: Getty Images

The Legendary striker played for Santos and the Brazilian national team. He was known for his strong shot and goal-scoring abilities on the pitch. We dig deep into Pelé's childhood story, parents, siblings, football career, and death. You will also learn more about his marriage life and children.

Pelé's profile summary

Full name

Edson Arantes do Nascimento

Nickname

Pelé

Birth date

23 October 1940

Date of death

29 December 2022

Height

1.73 m (5' 8")

Weight

67 kg

Hair colour

Black

Eye colour

Dark brown

Profession

Retired footballer

Teams

Santos, New York Cosmos, Brazil national football team

Parents

João Ramos do Nascimento (Dondinho), Dona Celeste

Siblings

Jair Arantes do Nascimento Zoca, Maria Lucia Nascimento

Wife

Marcia Aoki (2016 - 2022), Lemos Seixas (1992 - 2008), Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (1966 - 1982)

Children

Kely, Flávia, Sandra, Edson, Jennifer, Joshua, Celeste

Net Worth

$100 million

Social media

Twitter, Facebook

When was Pelé born and when did he die?

The legendary footballer was born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 23 October 1940. He grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Bauru, São Paulo estate. He developed his skills playing for various amateur teams barefoot in the streets of Brazil's suburbs.

When was Pele born and died?
A giant screen displays a portrait of late Brazilian football legend Pele during a commemorative tribute ahead of a La Liga match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on 31 December 2022 in Villarreal, Spain. Photo: Manuel Queimadelos
Source: Getty Images

The Brazilian icon died on 29 September 2022 at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he was undergoing cancer treatment. His real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. When was Pelé's mother born? What about his father? Below are details about his parents.

When was Pelé's parents born?

When was Pele's mother born?
Brazil's young star Pelé at a family meal, his father Dondinho (left) as his mother Dona Celeste served the food in January 1958. Pelé was the most famous and respected footballer of all time because of his achievements. Photo: Popperfoto
Source: Getty Images

João Ramos was born on 2 October 1917. He played football for several clubs and the national team but later quit to look for other jobs, like cleaning hospitals to take care of his family. Ramos died on 16 November 1996. So, when was Pelé's mom born?

Dona Celeste, was born on 20 November 1922 in Tres Coracoes. As of July 2023, she is alive and approaching 101 years. She was named 'Brazilian Mother of the Year' for her bond with her kid. João and Celeste had three children, two sons, Pelé and Jair Arantes do Nascimento Zoca and a daughter, Maria Lucia Nascimento.

How old was Pelé when his friend died?

 How old was Pelé when his friend died?
Former Argentinian football international Diego Maradona (L) and former Brazilian footballer Pelé are among the greatest players in football history. They were good friends. Photo: Patrick Kovarik
Source: Getty Images

The Brazilian had many friends who passed away when he was alive. One of them was Diego Maradona. The Argentine died on 25 November 2020, at 60, when Pelé was 80. The Santos legend posted a heartfelt message on Twitter to mourn his friend.

"There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky." The Brazilian wrote.

When did Pele start his career?

The legendary striker began his football journey in 1956 when he signed with Santos FC. He also played for the Brazilian national team and New York Cosmos.

Santos FC (1956-1974)

When did Pele start his career?
Pelé poses for a photo after becoming the Sao Paulo champions with his club Santos. He scored hundreds of goals for the club and helped them win several titles. Photo: Popperfoto
Source: Getty Images

The Brazilian scored in his Santos debut at 15 and began attracting attention. He played around 660 times and scored 643 goals for the club. Pelé helped Santos win several championships, including six Brazilian Serie A titles, two Copa Libertadores trophies and two Intercontinental Cups.

Brazil national team (1957-1971)

Pelé’s childhood
Brazil's Pelé and teammates celebrate winning the 1970 World Cup in Mexico after beating Italy in the final match at Estadio Azteca on 21 June in Città del Messico, Mexico. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
Source: Getty Images

Pelé joined the national team barely one year after impressing at Santos. He went to the World Cup and scored in the semifinal and the final match, helping the Brazil national team win the 1958 World Cup. The legend also won the 1962 and 1970 World Cups. He spent 14 years with the national team.

New York Cosmos (1975-1977)

The football icon left Santos to join New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL). He led the Cosmos to a championship before retiring.

At what age did Pelé retire?

When did Pelé start his career?
Pelé (10) of the New York Cosmos waving to fans following their victory against Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the Giants Stadium. His last team was NY Cosmos before retiring. Photo: George Tiedemann
Source: Getty Images

Pelé hung up his boots on 1 October 1977 aged 36. He organised an exhibition game for New York Cosmos against his former Brazilian side Santos to mark the end of his professional career. He left the stage after netting 1,281 goals, including 77 for the Brazilian national side and 92 hat-tricks.

The Brazilian earned numerous inductions into the Halls of Fame and received several accolades. FIFA also named him Player of the Century in 2000.

How old was Pelé in 1969?

The football legend scored his 1000th goal on 19 November 1969, at 29. He netted the crucial goal from the spot against Vasco da Gama at the Maracana Stadium, causing an eruption in the stadium. Sources reveal that nearly 125,000 fans attended the game.

Pelé's family

Pele's family
The Brazilian legend with his wife Rosemary and their newborn baby Kelly Cristina at a hospital in January 1967. Photo: Popperfoto
Source: Getty Images

The 2000 Player of the Century married three times and has seven children from his relationships. He has five daughters and two sons. Here is a breakdown of his marriage and kids.

Rosemeri do Reis Cholbi

His first wife was Rosemeri do Reis Cholbi. They tied the know in 1966 and had three kids together: Kelly Cristina (born 1967), Jennifer (born 1978) and their son Edson (born 1970). The couple divorced in 1982.

Lemos Seixas

At what age did Pele retire?
Former footballer Pelé walks down the street with wife, Seixas Lemos, in New York. Photo: George Tiedemann
Source: Getty Images

Pelé's second marriage was with Brazilian gospel singer and psychologist Lemos Seixas in 1992. They had twins, Joshua and Celeste, born in 1996. However, they parted ways in 2008.

Marcia Aoki

Is Pelé: Birth of a Legend a true story?
Pelé (L) and his wife Marcia Aoki attend the world premiere of 'Pele: Birth of a Legend' during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival held at the John Zuccotti Theater at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on 23 April 2016 in New York City. Photo: Ira L
Source: Getty Images

He married his third wife, Japanese-Brazilian entrepreneur Marcia Aoki in 2016 in a small ceremony. The couple had no kids but were together until his death in December 2022.

The five-time World Cup winner also welcomed two children with women outside his marriage. He had his fourth daughter, Sandra Regina Machado, with housemaid Anizia Machado and his fifth, Flávia, with journalist Lenita Kurtz.

Is 'Pelé: Birth of a Legend' a true story?

Is Pelé: Birth of a Legend a true story?
Pele at the premiere of his biographical film 'Pele: Birth of a Legend' at the cinema Odeon, Milan, Italy on 26 May 2016. Photo: Andrea Del B
Source: Getty Images

The 2016 movie is an American-produced biographical drama that explains how the Brazilian grew up from a humble background to making history in football.

"I've been in other films with some great names – with (Sylvester) Stallone, with Max von Sydow, with Michael Caine – but this is the first one that tells my history, my beginnings, my family, how I had to clean shoes to help my father," Pelé said.

When was Abedi Ayew Pele born?

When was Abedi Pele born?
Ghanian legend Abedi Pele (L) with the Brazilian icon during an event on 6 January 2008. Photo: Icon Sport
Source: Getty Images

The African and Ghanaian legend was born on 5 November 1964 in Kibi, Ghana. He grew up in Dome, the northern outskirts of Accra. Abedi is among the first African players to star in Europe. He won the UEFA Champions League with Marseille in the early 1990s. Abedi Pele is a former Ghanaian attacking midfielder who has played for Lille and Marseille. He is the father of Ibrahim, André and Jordan Ayew, who also play professional football.

When Pelé was born in 1940 in Brazil, little did the world know he was to become a Brazilian football legend. His life has inspired millions of people globally. The World Cup legend succumbed to cancer on 29 September 2022.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.