Childhood and Education Journey of Pelé in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Pelé, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was a Brazilian professional footballer celebrated as one of the greatest of all time. As a forward, he achieved remarkable success and popularity, becoming a global icon in the 20th century. He holds a Guinness World Record for scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games. Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 and included in Time's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, he was voted World Player of the Century by IFFHS and was a joint winner of the FIFA Player of the Century award.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1922: Birth of Celeste Arantes

In 1922, Celeste Arantes, Pelé's mother, was born.

October 1940: Pelé's Birth

In October 1940, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, the son of footballer Dondinho and Celeste Arantes.

1958: Wore Number 10 Jersey

During the 1958 World Cup, Pelé began wearing the number 10 jersey, which was assigned to him by FIFA due to disorganization within the Brazilian Federation.

1964: Birth of Sandra Machado in 1964

In 1964, Sandra Machado was born from an affair Pelé had with a housemaid, Anizia Machado.

1966: Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in 1966

In 1966, Pelé married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi.

January 1967: Birth of Kely Cristina in January 1967

Pelé and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi had their first daughter, Kely Cristina, born on January 13, 1967.

1969: Starred in telenovela "Os Estranhos"

In 1969, Pelé starred in a telenovela called "Os Estranhos", about first contact with aliens, created to drum up interest in the Apollo missions.

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1969: 48-hour Ceasefire during Nigerian Civil War (alleged)

In 1969, it was claimed that the two factions involved in the Nigerian Civil War agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire so they could watch Pelé play an exhibition game in Lagos. Santos played to a 2–2 draw with Lagos side Stationary Stores FC, and Pelé scored his team's goals. Whether or not a ceasefire actually occurred is still debated.

August 1970: Birth of Edson in August 1970

On August 27, 1970, Pelé and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi had one son, Edson ("Edinho").

1970: Embracing Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup

During the 1970 World Cup, Pelé's embrace of Bobby Moore after the Brazil vs. England game exemplified sportsmanship, capturing the mutual respect between the two players, as noted by The New York Times. The image showed no gloating from Pelé or despair from Moore.

1973: Met Zubaida Tharwat in Kuwait

In 1973, Pelé met Egyptian movie star Zubaida Tharwat by chance in Kuwait where she was attending a cinematic event. They took photos together, and he admired her beauty. She recounted that Pelé presented her with a collar of roses upon her arrival at the hotel.

1975: Ebony Magazine Report on Ceasefire

In 1975, Ebony magazine published an early account of the alleged 48-hour ceasefire in Nigeria during Pelé's visit in 1969.

1976: Trapped during Nigerian coup attempt

In 1976, while on a Pepsi-sponsored trip in Lagos, Nigeria, Pelé was trapped in a hotel with Arthur Ashe and other tennis pros due to a military coup attempt. He eventually left the hotel to stay at Brazil's ambassador's residence and later left the country disguised as a pilot.

1977: Right kidney removed in 1977

In 1977, Brazilian media reported that Pelé had his right kidney removed.

1977: Composed musical pieces for "Pelé" film

In 1977, Pelé composed musical pieces, including Sérgio Mendes' soundtrack for the film "Pelé" directed by François Reichenbach.

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1978: FIFA regulations changed

In 1978 FIFA regulations were changed to include the entire squad for a medal, before this only players who appeared in the final were eligible.

1981: Starred in "Escape to Victory"

In 1981, Pelé starred in the film "Escape to Victory", about a World War II-era football match between Allied prisoners of war and a German team, alongside other footballers and actors Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.

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1982: Divorced from Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in 1982

Pelé and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi divorced in 1982.

April 1994: Pelé married Assíria Lemos Seixas in April 1994

In April 1994, Pelé married psychologist and gospel singer Assíria Lemos Seixas.

September 1996: Birth of Joshua and Celeste in September 1996

On September 28, 1996, Pelé and Assíria Lemos Seixas gave birth to twins Joshua and Celeste through fertility treatments.

2001: Cameo role in "Mike Bassett: England Manager"

In 2001, Pelé had a cameo role in the football satire film "Mike Bassett: England Manager".

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2006: World Economic Forum Appearance

In 2006, Pelé appeared at the World Economic Forum in Davos, speaking on the role of sports in development.

2006: Declined participation in "Once in a Lifetime" documentary

In 2006, Pelé declined to participate in the ESPN documentary film "Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos" when the producers refused to pay his requested $100,000 fee.

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2006: Pelé helps inaugurate the FIFA World Cup

In 2006, Pelé helped inaugurate the FIFA World Cup alongside supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

2006: Autobiography Release

In 2006, Pelé's autobiography was released, in which he stated that he had no idea what his nickname meant, nor did his old friends, and the word has no meaning in Portuguese.

2006: Death of Sandra Machado in 2006

Sandra Machado, Pelé's daughter, died of cancer in 2006.

November 2007: Marks 150th anniversary of Sheffield F.C.

In November 2007, Pelé was in Sheffield, England, to mark the 150th anniversary of Sheffield F.C., the world's oldest football club. He was the guest of honour and opened an exhibition including the first public showing in 40 years of the original hand-written rules of football.

2008: Divorced from Assíria Lemos Seixas in 2008

Pelé and Assíria Lemos Seixas divorced in 2008.

July 2009: Spearheaded Rio 2016 presentation

In July 2009, Pelé spearheaded the Rio 2016 presentation to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria.

August 2012: Attendance at 2012 Olympic hunger summit and closing ceremony

In August 2012, Pelé attended the 2012 Olympic hunger summit hosted by British prime minister David Cameron and appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

November 2012: Hip operation in November 2012

In November 2012, Pelé underwent a successful hip operation.

2012: Awarded honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh

In 2012, Pelé was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh for his significant contributions to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements.

July 2016: Pelé married Marcia Aoki in July 2016

Pelé married Marcia Aoki, a Japanese-Brazilian importer of medical equipment, in July 2016.

2016: Rio de Janeiro hosted the Summer Olympics

In 2016, Pelé assisted the Rio de Janeiro bid for the Summer Olympics.

December 2017: Appeared in a wheelchair in December 2017

In December 2017, Pelé appeared in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow where he was pictured with President Vladimir Putin and Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.

2018: Appeared in 2018 World Cup

In December 2017, Pelé appeared in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow where he was pictured with President Vladimir Putin and Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.

2019: Surgery to remove kidney stones in 2019

In 2019, after a hospitalisation because of a urinary tract infection, Pelé underwent surgery to remove kidney stones.

2019: Pele's mother in vegetative state

Pelé's mother, Dona Celeste, was in a vegetative state since 2019, and was thus unaware of his death; she would later die in June 2024.

February 2020: Reported unable to walk independently in February 2020

In February 2020, Pelé's son Edinho reported that Pelé was unable to walk independently and reluctant to leave home, ascribing his condition to a lack of rehabilitation following his hip operation.

January 2023: Pelé's funeral in Santos

In January 2023, Pelé's funeral took place at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, with his body displayed in an open coffin. Thousands of fans attended, and the procession was widely covered by Brazilian television.