The King of Hearts: Pelé's Romantic Journey from Rosemeri Cholbi to Marcia Aoki

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was not only a global icon on the football pitch but also led a rich and often public romantic life. His journey through love involved three marriages, several long-term relationships, and the acknowledgment of multiple children, painting a picture of a man whose personal life was as dynamic as his legendary career.

His early romantic entanglements began even as his star was rising. In the early 1960s, Pelé had a relationship with Anísia Machado, which resulted in the birth of his daughter, Sandra Regina Machado, in 1964. While Pelé initially did not acknowledge Sandra, a protracted legal battle eventually led to a court ruling in 1996 that confirmed his paternity, a significant and public chapter in his personal history.

Pelé's first marriage was to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. The couple tied the knot in 1966, a period when Pelé was at the peak of his football prowess. Together, they had three children: Kelly Cristina, Edson (Edinho), and Jennifer. Their marriage lasted for over a decade and a half, ending in divorce in 1982, following years of public scrutiny and the pressures of Pelé's global fame.

During his first marriage, Pelé also had a relationship with Lenita Kurtz. This liaison resulted in the birth of another daughter, Flávia Christina Kurtz, in 1970. Unlike Sandra, Pelé acknowledged Flávia as his daughter, maintaining a relationship with her throughout his life, which was a more private aspect of his complex family dynamic.

Following his divorce from Rosemeri, Pelé entered a highly publicized relationship with Brazilian TV personality and model Xuxa Meneghel. Their romance began in the early 1980s and lasted for approximately six years. This was one of Pelé's most visible relationships, as Xuxa was a major celebrity in her own right, and their coupling garnered significant media attention across Brazil and beyond.

Pelé's second marriage was to Assíria Lemos Seixas, a psychologist and gospel singer. They exchanged vows in 1994, and their union brought him twin children, Joshua and Celeste. This marriage was characterized by a period of stability in his personal life, with Assíria often accompanying him to public events. However, their marriage concluded in divorce in 2008 after 14 years together.

In his later years, Pelé found love again with Marcia Cibele Aoki, a Japanese-Brazilian businesswoman. They first met in New York in the 1980s but reconnected decades later. Their relationship became public in the early 2010s, and they dated for several years before making their commitment official. Pelé and Aoki married in a private ceremony in 2016 in Guarujá, Brazil, when Pelé was 75 years old.

Marcia Aoki remained by Pelé's side through his final years, providing unwavering support as his health declined. She was his devoted partner until his passing in December 2022, a testament to a relationship that brought him comfort and companionship in the twilight of his life. Pelé's romantic history, marked by public marriages, acknowledged children, and high-profile romances, mirrored the extraordinary breadth of his life as a global icon.