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The Legacy Continues: Pelé and His Remarkable Seven


The Legacy Continues: Pelé and His Remarkable Seven

Pelé, widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, has left an indelible mark on the world of football and built a diverse and expanding family. Pelé has been married three times throughout his life.


His first wife was Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, whom he married in 1966. After their divorce in 1982, Pelé went on to marry Assíria Lemos Seixas in 1994. His third and current wife is Marcia Aoki. These marriages have been significant milestones in Pelé's personal life, marking different chapters of his journey. The exact number of his children is subject to some variation, but he is known to have had at least seven children.





Kely Christina Arantes do Nascimento is Pelé's first child and eldest daughter, born on January 13, 1967, to his first wife, Rosemeri. Recently, Kely has focused on sports diplomacy and development for sports, working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through global travel and storytelling.


"Warrior of a Beautiful Game" is a captivating and impactful documentary that aims to shed light on the issue of gender discrimination in sports. Kely ensures she devotes quality time to her beloved four children: Malcolm, Ruby, Enzo, and Ella. They are her particular focus whenever she is not engrossed in her professional endeavours.





Edinho “Edson” Arantes do Nascimento was born on August 27, 1970. Edinho is Pelé's first son and fourth child with his first wife, Rosemeri. Edinho is a Brazilian football player who retired in 1999 with the nickname Edson, his father's real name. During his career, Edinho represented four Brazilian teams: Santos, Portuguesa Santista, So Caetano, and Ponte Preta as a goalkeeper.


In 2007, Edinho began his journey with Santos as a goalkeeping coach and ascended to assistant coach in 2015. Following that, Edson ventured into managing various clubs, including Tricordiano, his father's hometown club. His path eventually led back to Santos in 2019 as the development coordinator and manager.




In June 1978, Pelé and Rosemeri welcomed their fifth child, a daughter named Jennifer Cholby Nascimento. Unlike her celebrity father and siblings, Jennifer leads a private life. There is no known photograph of her besides a picture of Pelé cradling her as a newborn. Limited information about her is available, and public images of Jennifer are scarce. She intentionally maintained a low profile, keeping her personal life away from the public eye.





Joshua Arantes do Nascimento was born to Pelé and his second wife, Assiria, on September 28, 1996. They welcomed boy-girl twins, his sixth and seventh children. Josh maintained a low profile on social media, but he played football like his father and older half-brother Edson. Records indicate that between 2013 and 2014, Josh was a Santos club player but no longer competes.


In 2016, Josh relocated to the United States and joined the Spartans soccer team as a forward at the University of Tampa. According to his Instagram bio, Josh has obtained a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and human performance. Josh currently resides in the United States, where he works as a strength and conditioning specialist. He also contributes to Florida's Golden Goal Soccer Academy as a coach.



Celeste Arantes do Nascimento is Josh's identical twin sister with a similar birthdate of September 28, 1996. She is the fifth daughter and seventh child of Pelé. Celeste prefers to live a more private life but occasionally appears on her half-sibling's social media accounts. Despite maintaining a low profile, she is known to have connections with her extended family and occasionally shares glimpses of her life through these occasional cameos.


The daughters of Pelé established the Nascimento Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes sports and the arts, aiming to foster a sustainable and peaceful future for children worldwide.



Flavia Arantes do Nascimento is the daughter of Pelé, born in 1968, from his relationship with journalist Lenita Kurtz during his marriage to his first wife. She is an advisor in a renowned hospital in Brazil, and the hospital has gained recognition as one of the top specialist medical institutions worldwide in 2021. In addition, Flávia was offered to join the Board of Trustees at the esteemed Little Prince Hospital.



Sandra Regina Machado was born in 1963, following a romantic involvement with housekeeper Anisia Machado. Pelé refused a DNA test, persistently denying being her father for many years. Once Sandra reached adulthood, she filed a lawsuit in 1991. The courts acknowledged her as his daughter two years later based on conclusive DNA evidence.


Despite Pelé's appeal, Sandra was granted permission to assume her father's last name in 1996. Still, Sandra's relationship with Pelé remained strained, prompting her to document her challenging journey in "The Daughter the King Didn't Want." Besides her literary endeavours, Sandra entered politics and was elected to the Santos City Council. Tragically, Sandra passed away from cancer in October 2006. She left behind her husband and two children, leaving a lasting legacy after her father's rejection.


Who is Pelé?


Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, is a name that resonates throughout the football world and beyond. Renowned as one of the greatest football players of all time, Pelé's impact and legacy have left an indelible mark on the sport. Pelé's playing style was a thing of beauty, characterized by his extraordinary dribbling skills, creativity, and remarkable goal-scoring ability.


Pelé showcased his prodigious talent and helped lead Brazil to its first-ever World Cup victory during the 1958 FIFA World Cup at the tender age of 17. He continued to mesmerize audiences in subsequent World Cups, securing victory in 1962 and 1970, a remarkable achievement unmatched by any other player in history. He possessed a natural instinct for finding the back of the net from any position on the field, combined with lightning speed and unparalleled agility. His vision and understanding of the game allowed him to orchestrate plays, create opportunities, and seamlessly blend individual brilliance with teamwork.


Pelé became a global ambassador for football. He captivated fans around the world, inspiring generations of aspiring players with his humility, passion, and dedication. Pelé has been actively involved in philanthropy and humanitarian endeavors, advocating for peace, education, and social initiatives. Pelé has been an ambassador for organizations like UNICEF, working tirelessly to improve the lives of children worldwide. In 2019, he established the Pelé Foundation, which aims to empower young people through education and social inclusion programs.




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