Pelé net worth at the time of his death in 2022 was estimated at around $100 million, largely accumulated through endorsements and business ventures following his retirement.
Although he earned a modest salary by today’s standards during his playing career, Pelé became the world’s highest-paid athlete in the 1970s when he joined the New York Cosmos, earning $2.8 million per season.
This unprecedented income made him a pioneering figure for athlete endorsements and post-career wealth strategies. He is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.
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Early days – Pelé Net Worth
Born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, Pelé’s early days were shaped by a love for soccer despite economic hardship.
Named Edson Arantes do Nascimento, he was nicknamed “Pelé” during childhood, though he initially disliked it.
He learned the game from his father, Dondinho, a former footballer, and honed his skills using makeshift soccer balls made of socks stuffed with paper, as his family couldn’t afford real equipment.
Pelé’s exceptional talent led him to join local youth teams, including Bauru Athletic Club, where he caught the attention of coach Waldemar de Brito.
At just 15, he was introduced to Santos FC, beginning a legendary career that would make him one of the most celebrated athletes worldwide.
Pelé Playstyle and Position
Pelé net worth was down to his playing style was marked by exceptional creativity, agility, and technical skill, which won him hearts, and further recognition beyond his playing career.
Initially a forward, he could play in various attacking roles and often played as a centre-forward, second striker, or even a deeper playmaker later in his career.
Renowned for his dribbling, acceleration, and acrobatic goals, he redefined football with his flair, vision, and ability to maneuver in tight spaces.
Pelé Net Worth: Professional Career
International Career and FIFA World Cup Legacy
Pelé’s international career with Brazil remains one of the most remarkable legacies in football.
Debuting at just 16, in an era where players weren’t really considered at international level until their mid-20s, Pelé made an immediate impact by scoring in his first match, setting the stage for his illustrious World Cup history.
He became the youngest World Cup champion in 1958, scoring twice in the final against Sweden and helping Brazil claim its first title.
Pelé’s contributions continued in the 1962 World Cup, although an injury limited his playing time. Despite this, his early performances bolstered Brazil’s campaign, leading to their second consecutive championship.
In 1970, Pelé reached the pinnacle of his international career, guiding Brazil to a third World Cup victory with an unforgettable performance that included both goals and assists.
This triumph solidified Brazil as the first team to win three World Cups, and Pelé as the only player in history to achieve such a feat, enhancing his legacy as “The King of Football”.
Pelé FIFA World Cup legacy
Pelé is the player with the most FIFA World Cup titles. His three triumph with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970 has not been matched by any individual till date.
Pelé club career — Santos through and through
Pelé’s club career began with Santos FC in 1956, where he quickly rose as one of the world’s most prolific forwards.
In his 18 years with Santos, the legendary figure scored 643 goals across 659 appearances, leading the team to numerous Brazilian championships and two Copa Libertadores titles.
His performance made him one of the most sought-after players worldwide, but Pelé chose loyalty to Santos, rejecting offers from top European clubs to stay in Brazil.
Why did Pelé played for club other than Santos ?
Over the course of his career, Pelé had the opportunity to join European giants, with Real Madrid particularly interested in securing his services.
However, he insisted that he will never leave Santos for no reason. For three years between 1971 and 1974, British businessman and a major stakeholder at New York Cosmos, Clive Toye met with the Brazilian to convince him to join on several occasions but Pelé remained defiant.
However, when Toye met with him in 1975, the three-time FIFA World Cup winner had already retired, hadn’t play in a competitive game in eight months and on the brink of bankruptcy.
He accepted a lucrative offer, that was worth $2.8 million per year. It also opened the way for several endorsements, and since then, Pelè net worth continued to grow.
Move to New York Cosmos
In 1975, Pelé eventually left Brazil and joined the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), a move aimed at popularizing soccer in the United States.
His arrival sparked a surge in NASL’s popularity, culminating in a league championship for Cosmos in 1977. His move also paved way for other stars to move to the North American Soccer League, including big names like Franz Beckenbauer and others.
In his first season, he produced five goals and four assists in nine games. The figures improved significantly in his second season, finishing with 15 goals and 19 assists in 24 games and in 1977, his final year with the Cosmos, he scored 17 goals and led his team to the NASL title, the North American league crown.
Pelé’s final game that year, an exhibition between Cosmos and Santos, symbolized his global legacy, closing a remarkable chapter in his club career.
The game ended with the Cosmos winning 2–1, with Pelé scoring with a 30-yard free-kick for the Cosmos in what was the final goal of his career.
During the second-half of the game, it started to rain, prompting a Brazilian newspaper to come out with the headline the following day: “Even The Sky Was Crying”.
Post Retirement
Brazil Sports Minister
Pelé served as Brazil’s Sports Minister from 1995 to 1998. He advocated for sports development, using his global influence to improve the infrastructure and programs in Brazilian sports.
His tenure was marked by efforts to promote football, but also by controversy, particularly when he publicly criticized anti-corruption protests during the 2014 World Cup preparations, hosted by Brazil.
Pelé Wives and Children
A Serial Monogamist
Pelé was married three times and had seven recognized children. His first wife, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, whom he married in 1966, had three children with him.
Two daughters, Kely and Jennifer, and son Edinho, a former soccer player turned coach. Their marriage ended in 1982.
Pelé’s second marriage was to Assíria Lemos Seixas in 1994, a psychologist and gospel singer, with whom he had twins Joshua and Celeste before their divorce in 2008.
He also fathered two other daughters outside his marriages. Sandra Regina Machado, born from an affair with Anizia Machado, fought for years to be legally recognized as Pelé’s daughter, a court acknowledged her in 1993.
Sandra passed away from cancer in 2006. Flávia Kurtz, his other extramarital daughter, was born in 1968 to journalist Lenita Kurtz.
In 2016, Pelé married his third wife, Marcia Aoki, a businesswoman from Japan, and they remained together until his death in 2022.
Legacies: Player of the Century
In 1999, FIFA named Pelé as one of its “Players of the Century,” sharing the title with Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
This award recognized Pelé’s unparalleled achievements and contributions to football, including his record-breaking 1,000-plus goals (although unofficial), three World Cup titles, and extraordinary influence on the global popularity of the sport.
Beyond FIFA’s accolade, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, IFFHS, also awarded him “World Player of the Century,” and the International Olympic Committee honored him as the “Athlete of the Century,” marking him as a transcendent figure in sports history.
Pelé Net Worth- Businesses and Investments
During his lifetime, Pelé engaged in various business and investment ventures that solidified his influence off the field He focused on areas aligned with his brand, such as fitness and wellness.
Pelé launched several health clubs under his name, offering upscale facilities and personalized fitness programs to promote healthy living, much like his own commitment to an active lifestyle.
Additionally, Pelé ventured into media, producing and participating in documentaries that explored his life story and values.
These projects allowed him to connect with audiences on a deeper level, capturing both his athletic achievements and personal resilience, even years after calling time on his professional career and at the same time, Pelé net worth continued to grown.
Pelé Net Worth ‐ Endorsements deals
Endorsement deals played a significant role in Pelé net worth as it bolstered his financial success and global fame. His agreements with top brands like Puma, Hublot, Emirates Airlines, Subway, Coca-Cola, and Volkswagen brought in millions and solidified his status as a global icon.
Among his most famous deals, Pelé’s 1970 contract with Puma was groundbreaking; he reportedly earned $120,000 for simply pausing to tie his shoes in a World Cup match, boosting Puma’s visibility and becoming a historic marketing move.
Later, as Pelé’s fame expanded internationally, he collaborated with Sport 10, an agency managing his brand, which negotiated even more lucrative deals, especially around major events like the World Cup and Olympics.
Death and Cause
Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82 after a battle with colon cancer that had spread to other organs.
He died at the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, surrounded by family. He was buried at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica in January.
His passing marked the end of an era, as Pelé’s iconic style and achievements had profoundly shaped the world of football, especially through his three World Cup wins.
In tribute, Brazil declared three days of national mourning to honor the legacy of “The King of Football”.
Pelé Net Worth
For someone who began and concluded their professional career before the 80s, Pelé net worth ranked him as one of the richest athlete of all time in today’s world.
His ability to maintain relevance through fame gained while playing for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos made him a global ambassador, on which he leveraged his brands and made them thrive.
Before his passing in late 2022, Pelé net worth was estimated at $100 million, and that is so much money for a legend some great grandparents of today never saw while play the beautiful game.
