African Celebrities: Pele

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Pele

Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pele is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is regarded by many experts, football critics, former players, current players and football fans in general as the best player of all time.

Pele was born on 21st of October 1940, in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He is the son of Fluminense footballer Joao Ramos do Nascimento "Dondinho" and Dona Celeste Arantes. He was the oldest of two siblings.

In 1999 he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, he was elected "Athlete of the Century" by the 10C, and was named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

In 2013 he received the FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur in recognition of his career and achievements. According to the IFFHS, Pele is the most successful league goal scorer in the world, with 541 league goals.

Pele began playing for the Brazil national football team at 16. He won three FIFA World Cups; 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Since retiring in 1977, Pele has been a worldwide ambassador for football and has undertaken various acting roles and commercial ventures.

On 21 February 1966 Pele married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. Pele and Rosemeri have three children together; Kelly Christina (daughter) born on 13th of January 1967 who married Dr. Arthur DeLuca, Edson (son) born on 27th of August 1970 and Jennifer (daughter) born in 1978. Pele and his wife Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi divorced in 1982.

In April 1994 Pele married psychologist and gospel singer Assiria Lemos Seixas, who gave birth on 28 September 1996 to twins Joshua and Celeste. Pele and Assiria divorced in 2008.

Also Pele had at least two children from former relationships.