The Untold Legacy: Pelé's 7 Confirmed Children And The Posthumous DNA Test That Could Reveal An Eighth Heir
The legacy of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the global icon known simply as Pelé, extends far beyond the football pitch, encompassing a complex and often dramatic family life that continues to make headlines even after his death in December 2022. As of , the narrative of the 'King of Football's' heirs is dominated by a posthumous legal battle over his will, which explicitly acknowledged the possibility of an eighth child, forcing his estate to confront a new reality.
The saga of Pelé’s children is one of public recognition, private denial, and emotional complexity, reflecting the life of a man who was both a global superstar and a private individual. While the world remembers his three World Cup titles, his family is now managing his considerable estate and the intricate relationships he left behind, including a controversial request to exhume his body for a DNA test that has captured the attention of the Brazilian media.
Pelé's Confirmed Children: A Complete Biography and Profile
Pelé was married three times and had several significant relationships, resulting in seven legally recognized children. His will divided 70% of his assets among these seven heirs, plus his grandchildren from his late daughter, Sandra Regina. The following list details the seven confirmed children of Pelé, outlining their mothers and their respective paths in life.
- Kely Cristina Nascimento (Born c. 1967)
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Profile: Eldest daughter, a prominent activist, artist, and documentary filmmaker. Kely became the most public face of the family during her father’s final illness, frequently posting updates from the hospital and serving as a key spokesperson for the Nascimento family.
- Flávia Christina Kurtz Nascimento (Born 1968)
- Mother: Lenita Kurtz (Extramarital relationship)
- Profile: Flávia is the daughter from an extramarital affair whom Pelé chose to acknowledge and recognize, unlike his initial denial of Sandra Regina. She maintained a close relationship with her father throughout his life.
- Edson Cholbi Nascimento (Edinho) (Born August 27, 1970)
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Profile: Pelé's only son. Edinho followed his father into football, playing professionally as a goalkeeper, most notably for Santos FC. He is now a football manager and has been heavily involved in managing his father's estate.
- Sandra Regina Machado Arantes do Nascimento (Born 1964; Died 2006)
- Mother: Anísia Machado (Extramarital relationship)
- Profile: The most controversial of his children during Pelé's lifetime. He denied her paternity for years, forcing her to launch a five-year legal battle that was ultimately settled by a DNA test in 1996 which proved she was his daughter. Sandra Regina passed away from cancer in 2006. Crucially, Pelé’s will named her two children, Octávio Felinto Neto and Gabriel Arantes do Nascimento, as heirs, ensuring her lineage received her share of the inheritance.
- Jennifer Cholby Nascimento (Born June 1978)
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Profile: Pelé's third child with Rosemeri. Jennifer has pursued a career in the entertainment industry as a musician and DJ, often going by the moniker "Tia Jenny."
- Joshua Seixas Arantes do Nascimento (Born September 28, 1996)
- Mother: Assíria Lemos Seixas (Second Wife)
- Profile: One of the twins born via IVF during Pelé's second marriage. Joshua also played football as a forward, including time at the University of Tampa, though he did not reach the professional heights of his father or half-brother Edinho.
- Celeste Seixas Arantes do Nascimento (Born September 28, 1996)
- Mother: Assíria Lemos Seixas (Second Wife)
- Profile: Joshua’s twin sister, also born via IVF. Celeste has largely maintained a private life away from the public eye, often focusing on her studies, including attending the University of Tampa in the United States.
The Controversial Heir: Sandra Regina and the Posthumous Recognition
The story of Pelé’s relationship with his children is a classic example of a complex, high-profile family dynamic. While he was a loving and present father to many, the case of Sandra Regina Machado stands as a painful chapter in his life.
After a lengthy legal battle initiated by Sandra, a DNA test confirmed her paternity in 1996. Despite the court ruling, Pelé refused to acknowledge her as his daughter during her lifetime, a decision that caused significant heartbreak and public debate. The fact that Pelé explicitly named her children—his grandchildren—in his will to receive her portion of the inheritance serves as a powerful, albeit posthumous, recognition of her rightful place in the family.
This decision to include Sandra's lineage in his will, despite his earlier denial, highlights the complex emotional landscape of the global icon's final wishes. The inclusion of the grandchildren, Octávio and Gabriel, ensures that the legacy of his daughter—who fought tirelessly for her identity—is preserved within the family estate.
The 2024 Legal Battle: A Potential Eighth Child and the Exhumation Request
The complexity of Pelé's family tree did not end with his death. The most recent and sensational update involves a woman named Maria do Socorro Azevedo, who claims to be Pelé’s eighth child.
This claim has been thrust into the spotlight because Pelé's will itself contained a clause acknowledging the possibility of another heir, a remarkably candid admission that set the stage for the current dispute. The will stipulated that if paternity was proven, the individual would receive a portion of the 60% of his private assets earmarked for his children.
In a dramatic development in 2024, Maria do Socorro Azevedo, through her lawyer, has demanded the exhumation of Pelé’s body from his mausoleum in Santos to perform a DNA test. This request comes despite reports that the woman's legal team had previously conducted tests that returned a negative result. The lawyer, Marcos Fernando dos Santos Sousa, insists that the initial tests were inconclusive and that a definitive, court-ordered DNA test using the deceased's remains is the only way to resolve the matter and honor the wishes expressed in Pelé’s will.
The request for exhumation adds a layer of high-stakes drama to the already complex process of settling the estate. Pelé's son, Edinho, who is the executor of the estate, is reportedly challenging the claim, insisting that previous attempts to prove paternity were unsuccessful. The outcome of this legal challenge will determine whether the world's most famous football legend will be posthumously confirmed as the father of eight children.
The Future of the Nascimento Legacy and Inheritance
Pelé's estate, estimated to be worth approximately £13 million (about $16 million USD), is being divided among his heirs. According to the will, his widow, Marcia Aoki, is set to inherit 30% of his assets. The remaining 70% is designated for his seven children and the two grandchildren from Sandra Regina, with the possibility of the percentage shifting if Maria do Socorro Azevedo’s DNA test is positive.
The ongoing legal battles and the public nature of the paternity claims ensure that the story of Pelé's life remains a topic of global interest. From Kely’s public advocacy and Edinho’s football career to the tragic, vindicated fight of Sandra Regina and the current exhumation request, the Nascimento family legacy is a powerful reminder that even the greatest sporting heroes have deeply human, complex, and sometimes contentious personal lives. The final chapter of Pelé’s family history is still being written in a Brazilian courtroom, waiting for the definitive answer that only a DNA test can provide.
Detail Author:
- Name : Austyn Bosco
- Username : madisen37
- Email : walter38@bode.biz
- Birthdate : 1995-11-29
- Address : 768 Deborah Park Margeville, AL 90707-6498
- Phone : +18385648239
- Company : Jacobs-Kessler
- Job : Welding Machine Tender
- Bio : Est quod rem eveniet commodi. Voluptatem et perferendis cupiditate. Sed repellat perspiciatis aut at velit.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/norene7102
- username : norene7102
- bio : Qui totam vel quibusdam qui at consequatur ullam.
- followers : 5383
- following : 944
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/pollichn
- username : pollichn
- bio : Corrupti maxime omnis aspernatur consequuntur neque officiis dolore. Est molestiae sit ex tempore cupiditate sed. Dolorem quibusdam cum et sit.
- followers : 3899
- following : 1220
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/norene2762
- username : norene2762
- bio : Qui temporibus quibusdam voluptas earum tenetur praesentium.
- followers : 3227
- following : 920
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@pollichn
- username : pollichn
- bio : Facere tenetur iusto similique dicta error.
- followers : 6832
- following : 2057
