Pelé Wife: Was Brazillian Football Legend Married 3 Times Before His Death – Here Are What To Know About His Relationships Life

A look at “Pelé Wife” One of the best soccer players in the world, if not the best, is considered to be Pelé. Many football fans may have questions regarding Pelé’s personal life after his passing, including who his wife is. He was married three times in all before passing away at the age of 82, proving that his personal life was nothing but difficult.

Pelé rose to fame while competing for the Brazilian national team and Santos. He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Três Coraçes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. In the end, he won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962, and 1970, which is a record. Before Lionel Messi beat his record of 643 goals for his club in 2020, his popularity increased.

Pelé Wife: Was Brazillian Football Legend Married 3 Times Before His Death

A legend in the game and dubbed “O Rio or “The King,” he even helped stop a ceasefire in the Nigerian Civil War so that both sides could see him play.

His daughter confirmed the Brazillian striker’s passing in an Instagram post, “All that we are is thanks to you,” she wrote. “We love you forever. Rest in peace.”  In 2021, Pelé was going under treatment for colon cancer and assured his fans not to worry about his health. “Dear friends, it’s been a while since we talked about this. I want to let you know that I’m fine,” he wrote on Instagram in November 2021. I feel better every day. I don’t think even the mask for my protection can hide my happiness. Thank you very much to all of you who send me good energy daily.”

Throughout his career, he also was the subject of controversy with his relationships after having several affairs while he was married. He married three times, first tying the knot with Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in the late 1960s. Here’s a list of Pelé’s wives and his relationships with them.

Who were Pelé’s wives?

Marcia Aoki (2016 – 2022)

Marcia Aoki, a Brazilian-Japanese businesswoman, was Pelé’s third wife. Although nothing is known about their relationship, it is known that she is a distributor of medical products. The two reconnected in 2008 and began dating in 2010, having first met at a party in New York City in the 1980s. In comparison to the Brazilian soccer sensation, Aoki is 32 years younger. In a tiny ceremony in 2016, Pelé and Aoki got married. They remained together till his death and never had children.

What age is Pelé’s wife, Marcia Aoki?

One interesting tidbit that came up in the documentary (spoilers!) is Pelé admitted he’d been unfaithful to all three of his wives and isn’t aware of how many kids he has.

Still, it’s known that five of Pelé’s children came from his first two marriages.

Pelé married his third wife – businesswoman Marcia Aoki – in 2016, in a private ceremony in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Not much is known about Pele’s wife, Marcia Aoki. It’s reported she works in the medical supplies sector as an entrepreneur, and that she’s known her husband since 1980.

However, we do know that the age gap between Pele and his wife is 25 years. Marcia Aoki was 50 at the time of their wedding, and Pele was 75.

As of 2022, Pelé’s wife is 56 years of age, having been born in 1966, while he is 82 years old.

Who Is Assíria Lemos Seixas? Pele Second Wife (1992 – 2008)

Pelé married his second wife gospel singer and psychologist Assíria Lemos Seixas in 1992. The couple had two children together, twins, Joshua and Celeste, born in 1996. Not much is known about this relationship either, but the couple finalized their divorce in 2008.

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (1966 – 1982)

Pelé’s first wife was Rosemeri do Reis Cholbi, who he married in 1966. They had three kids together: Kelly Cristina (born January 13, 1967), Jennifer (born 1978) and their son Edson (“Edinho”, born  August 27, 1970).

In his Netflix documentary Pelé, the soccer player opened up about his infidelities. “My first wife, my first girlfriend knew all about it. I never lied to anyone.” He claimed that he was “too young” for his marriage. Pelé had numerous affairs, enough to the point where he didn’t know how many children he fathered. “In all honesty, I’ve had so many relationships, and some were born also about the children, but I only found out about it later.”

On his affairs, he thought that being his wife was difficult and explained that commercial deals allowed him to travel and work off the field for projects in different countries. He offered a view of his first marriage in the documentary, and that every single one of his partners knew about his affairs. “We had that friendship,” Pelé said. “That passion you feel when you’re madly in love – we didn’t have any of that.”

He welcomed his second daughter Flávia, with journalist Lenita Kurtz, in 1968 while he was still married to Rosemeri. Before they married, Pelé had an affair with his housemaid, Anisia Machado, in 1963. Anisia gave birth to Sandra Regina Machado. For many years, Sandra took her father to court to prove paternity tests, but Pelé denied that he was the father and refused to submit to a DNA test. Sandra went on to write a book The Daughter the King Didn’t Want, and died in 2006 from cancer. Pelé didn’t go to her funeral.

Though he had many flaws, he reflected his stance in society in an interview with British GQ. “Most of the children today watch [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Neymar, but they also know the name of Pelé,” he said. “Maybe from their fathers, or from their fathers’ fathers! But it is a big responsibility for me because I can never make a mistake in my life. I always have to be an example to these children, but I thank God for this honor.”

He continued to reflect on his career highlight: “I don’t have one favorite moment… there are too many. But there are a few memories that are special for me,” he said at the time. “For example, 1958 was my very first World Cup and I was 17 years old. It was the first time I had traveled by plane, and in Sweden everything was new and different. It was like a dream, and then all my dreams came true because my Brazil won the World Cup. I was so young and it felt like I had achieved everything. But, of course, there was much more to come.”

Why Soccer Matters by Pelé

For more about Pelé, read his 2015 memoir, Why Soccer Matters: A Look at More Than Sixty Years of International Soccer. The book takes readers through Pelé’s 20-year international football career, from his three World Cup championship wins to his record-breaking 1,283 goals. The autobiography also dives into Pelé’s decision to retire from football in 1977, his work as international football’s global ambassador and how he’s inspired future generations of professional football players like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “I know in my heart that soccer was good to me, and great to the world….I saw, time and again, how the sport improved countless millions of lives, both on and off the field. For me, at least, that’s why soccer matters,” Pelé writes in Why Soccer Matters.

All About Pelé’s 7 Children

The Brazilian soccer star, who died at age 82 in December, was the father of seven kids: Kely, Flávia, Sandra, Edson, Jennifer, Joshua and Celeste

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé has died at age 82 amid ongoing treatments for colon cancer.

“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. In his journey, Edson charmed everyone with his brilliance in sport, stopped a war, performed social work around the world, and spread what he most believed to be the cure to all our problems: love,” a statement read on his Instagram account. “Your message in life will become a legacy for generations to come.”

In addition to being a soccer legend, Pelé was the father of seven kids. Throughout his life, he engaged in several relationships, some that ended in romance and others that resulted in controversy.

Pelé married three times, first tying the knot with Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in the late 1960s. They welcomed three children together, daughters Kely and Jennifer and son Edinho Nascimento.

The couple split several decades later, when Pelé was romantically linked to Brazilian singer Xuxa. The World Cup champ famously dated the pop star for four years until they broke up in 1986.

Pelé married his second wife Assiria Lemos Seixas in the 1990s. They welcomed twins together, daughter Celeste and son Joshua. After 12 years of marriage, Pelé and Assiria divorced.

The star’s third and final marriage, to Marcia Cibele Aoiki, a Brazilian entrepreneur, took place several years later.

Pelé also welcomed two children with women outside his marriages: He had his fourth daughter, Sandra Regina Machado, with housemaid Anizia Machado and his fifth, Flávia, with journalist Lenita Kurtz.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about the Brazilian soccer star’s seven kids.

Kely Christina Arantes do Nascimento

Kely is Pelé’s first child and eldest daughter who he welcomed with his first wife, Rosemeri, on Jan. 13, 1967. Since she was young, Kely recognized her father’s dedication, discipline and humility as an athlete — as well as the way he inspired young people.

As she grew older, Kely — along with her sisters — founded the Nascimento Foundation, an organization that strives to globally build a sustainable and peaceful future for children through sports and the arts.

Recently, she’s placed her focus in the sports diplomacy and sports for development sectors and has worked to further the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through world travel and storytelling. In June, she gave a TEDx Talk about barrier-breaking women in soccer.

Currently, Kely is in the post-production stage of her feature documentary, Warrior of a Beautiful Game, which will highlight gender inequality in sports. When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her four children Malcolm, Ruby, Enzo and Ella — and of course, stopping by the soccer field.

Flávia Arantes do Nascimento

Pelé welcomed his second child, daughter Flávia, with journalist Lenita Kurtz, in 1968 while he was still married to Rosemeri (and would remain so for many more years).

Flávia currently works as an advisory counselor at major hospital in Brazil. In 2021, it was recognized as one of the best-specialized hospitals in the world. Plus, she was invited to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Little Prince Hospital.

Sandra Regina Machado Nascimento

Pelé’s second daughter, Sandra Regina Machado, was born as the result of an affair with housemaid Anisia Machado in 1963. For many years that followed, the soccer star denied that he was her father and refused to submit to a DNA test.

When Sandra grew older, she took the soccer star to court, suing him in 1991. Two years later, courts deemed Sandra his daughter based on DNA evidence. Despite Pelé’s appeal, it was upheld in 1996 and she was granted the ability to adopt his father’s surname.

Sandra later published a book, titled The Daughter the King Didn’t Want, detailing the turbulent journey she endured in the wake of her father’s rejection. She also went on to win a city council seat in Santos.

In 2001, she filed another suit against her father, demanding increased financial compensation after claiming that she wasn’t receiving the same amount of money from Pelé as her half-siblings Kely, Edson and Jennifer. The court rejected the claim.

Sandra died from cancer in October 2006. She left behind her husband and two children.

Edinho “Edson” Arantes do Nascimento

Edinho is Pelé’s fourth child and first son, who he welcomed with Rosemeri on Aug. 27, 1970. Nicknamed Edson, which is his father’s given name, Edinho was a Brazilian soccer player in his own right and played professionally before retiring in 1999.

As a goalkeeper, Edinho played for four Brazilian clubs throughout his professional career: Santos, Portuguesa Santista, São Caetano and Ponte Preta. But his time on the pitch didn’t end after retirement.

Edinho was hired by Santos as a goalkeeping coach in 2007 and was promoted to assistant coach in 2015. In the years that followed, he held managing gigs at several different clubs — one of which included his father’s hometown club, Tricordiano — but ultimately returned to Santos as a development coordinator and then a manager in 2019.

Soccer aside, Edinho faced legal troubles in 2005 when he was arrested and later sentenced for money laundering and drug trafficking in 2014. While he denied all charges, Edinho admitted to a past drug problem despite being clean for many years. Pelé visited him several times in jail.

In early December 2022, Edinho was hired as the coach of Brazilian soccer club Londrina. He’s currently working to assemble the squad for the 2023 season.

Jennifer Cholby Arantes do Nascimento

The World Cup champ welcomed his fifth child, daughter Jennifer Cholby Nascimento, with Rosemeri in June 1978. Unlike her siblings and famed father, Jennifer has chosen to live a private life. There are little details known about her and few photos of her are public, except for one that shows Pelé cradling her as a newborn.

Joshua Arantes do Nascimento

Pelé welcomed boy-girl twins with his wife Assiria on Sept. 28, 1996, making them his sixth and seventh children. His son, Josh, opts to keep his life private on social media, but public records show that he was a soccer player like his older half-brother, Edson, and his father.

While he doesn’t play anymore, records show that he used to play for club Santos in 2013 and 2014. Two years after, he moved to the United States to play forward for the Spartans soccer team at the University of Tampa in 2016.

Per his Instagram bio, Josh earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and human performance. Now, he continues to live in the States where he works in the field of strength and conditioning. He also coaches at the Golden Goal Soccer Academy in Florida.

Celeste Arantes do Nascimento

Also born on Sept. 28, 1996 to Pelé and Assiria was Josh’s twin sister, Celeste. Although she prefers to keep the majority of her life out of the public eye, she does make rare appearances on her half-siblings’ social media pages from time to time.

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