What is Pele’s net worth?
| Net Worth: | $100 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 81 |
| Born: | October 23, 1940 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Brazil |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Soccer Player |
| Last Updated: | August 2, 2022 |
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pelé is a retired football player from Brazil who is regarded as the best soccer player of all time and was the highest-paid athlete at the peak of his career.
He helped the Brazil national team win three World Cup championships and set goal-scoring records.
As of November 2022, Pelé’s net worth is estimated to be $100 Million.
Pelé Facts
- Pelé is named after Thomas Edison, with his father marking the introduction of electricity to Brazil.
- During the mid-1940s, he played with a sock stuffed with rags as he couldn’t afford a football.
- While he’s incredibly wealthy today, his 1956 contract with Santos FC earned him just $10 per month.
- Pelé holds two Guinness World Records, including for his three World Cups and 1,283 career goals.
- In 2022, Pelé sent an open letter to Vladimir Putin pleading for him to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Early Life
Pelé, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was born 23 October 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in a family of soccer players.
After he mispronounced the name of goalkeeper Bilé as Pelé, it was used as a nickname for the young soccer player, sticking throughout his career.
Growing up in poverty in Bauru, São Paulo, Pelé learned football from his father and began playing for several Brazilian youth teams.
Career
In 1956, Pelé signed his first professional contract with Santos FC, becoming the top scorer in the Brazilian league when he was just 16 years old.
Despite offers from some of the richest soccer teams in the world, Pelé stuck with Santos for much of his career, helping the team win the 1962 Intercontinental Cup.
During his time at Santos, he scored the most goals by any player at the time, and a feat only surpassed by Lionel Messi in 2020.
His run of victories extended to his international career, with three World Cup trophies with the Brazilian national team between 1958 and 1970.
Renowned for his versatile playing style associated with the expression “The Beautiful Game”, Pelé has often been compared to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and other soccer icons.
Since his retirement, Pelé has appeared in the movie Escape to Victory, starring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone, and a cameo in Mike Bassett: England Manager.
In 2006, he helped inaugurate the FIFA World Cup final with one of the richest models in the world, Claudia Schiffer.
Pelé’s Career Earnings
As one of the richest athletes in the world, Pelé has taken in considerable annual salaries through his national and international contracts.
During the peak of his career, he was the highest-paid athlete of all time and an icon to his fellow Brazilians.
Here’s an estimated overview of Pelé’s career earnings:
- Pelé’s Salary In 1975 – $4.75 million
- Peée’s Salary In 1977 – $15 million
- Pelé’s Salary In 2015 – $14 million
- Pelé’s Salary In 2018 – $4 million
- Pelé’s Salary In 2022 – $8 million
Pelé’s Net Worth Annually
Pelé’s net worth has continued to grow over time, from his peak earnings as the world’s leading soccer player to his ongoing royalties and brand endorsement deals.
These revenue streams have helped him become one of the richest soccer players in the world, with a level of wealth that continues to grow.
Here’s a breakdown of Pelé’s annual net worth:
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2017 – $64 million
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2018 – $70 million
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2019 – $76 million
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2020 – $84 million
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2021 – $92 million
- Pelé’s Net Worth In 2022 – $100 million
Personal Life
Throughout his life, Pelé has been married on three occasions, marrying Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, with whom he has three children.
He was romantically tied to Brazilian television presenter Xuxa during the 1980s, and in 2010 he began dating Marcia Aoki, whom he married in 2016.
Active on social media, he uses his official Instagram account to update his fans on new media appearances and other activities.
Awards & Achievements
As the most successful soccer player of all time, it’s not surprising that Pelé has picked up many awards and accolades over the years.
These awards have been granted both as an individual and as part of the championship-winning teams with which he played.
Here are some examples of the high profile awards and honors from Pelé’s career:
- 1958: Pelé plays for the Brazilian team and wins his first trophy at the FIFA World Cup.
- 1958: The same year, he is named Best Young Player by the FIFA World Cup board.
- 1962-3: He is named top scorer by the Intercontinental Cup for two consecutive years.
- 1984: Pelé is appointed the FIFA Order Of Merit for his services to soccer.
- 2004: As one of the most iconic players of all time, Pelé is chosen for the FIFA Centennial Award.
- 2005: At the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, Pelé is granted a lifetime achievement award.
Pelé has won many more awards over the years, making him one of the most celebrated soccer players ever known.
How Does Pelé Spend His Money?
Pelé’s ongoing income and established net worth allow him to invest money in plenty of luxury goods and real estate.
In 2018, he reportedly sold a home in the Hamptons for nearly $3 million, which he had expanded over the years to significantly increase its value from its 1979 price of $156,000.
He is also a collector of some of the most expensive watches in the world and sold a classic Hublot at auction in 2015.
Highlights
Beginning with his promising amateur career and processing through his many cup victories, Pelé’s career is studded with successful moments,
A world record-breaking player who has inspired countless soccer fans, he has helped redefine the sport forever.
Here are some of the best highlights of Pelé’s career:
- 1957: Pelé’s professional career begins in earnest, with the Brazilian footballer becoming the league’s top scorer.
- 1958: He wins the first major tournament of his career, helping Santos FC win the Campeonato Paulista.
- 1958: Pelé begins playing at international tournaments, leading Brazil to victory at the World Cup.
- 1974: In a rare break from Santos, Pelé comes out of semi-retirement to play for the New York Cosmos team in the US.
- 1995: Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed Pelé to the position of Extraordinary Minister for Sport.
Even though his football career is behind him, Pelé remains active as an ambassador and public figure and continues to work with various charities around the world.
Favorite Pelé Quotes
As one of soccer’s most legendary figures, Pelé has shared many insights into his training regime and success with the Brazilian national team.
His playing style and personality off the pitch inspired some of today’s best soccer players to take up the sport and compete professionally.
Here are our favorite quotes from Pelé:
- “I always had a philosophy which I got from my father. He used to say, ‘Listen. God gave to you the gift to play football. This is your gift from God. If you take care of your health, if you are in good shape all the time, with your gift from God no one will stop you, but you must be prepared.’” – Pelé
- “Wherever you go, there are three icons that everyone knows: Jesus Christ, Pele and Coca-Cola.” – Pelé
- “If I pass away one day, I am happy because I tried to do my best. My sport allowed me to do so much because it’s the biggest sport in the world.” – Pelé
- “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pelé
- “I have to trust something that gives me power; I have to believe in something, but in my career I have a lot of moments I cannot explain with God.” – Pelé
3 Amazing Lessons From Pelé
Now that you know all about Pelé’s net worth let’s look at how his life and professional soccer experiences can help us lead more successful lives.
Here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Pelé:
1. Transform Anger Into A Positive Emotion
Great athletes understand the importance of channeling anger and aggression in a positive direction, helping to improve performance.
Pele was a master of transforming negative energy into top-tier performance on the pitch and winning the game.
2. Don’t Always Play By The Rule Book
While it’s always good to understand the rules of the game, sometimes it’s better to throw aside the foundations and act on instinct.
Pele understood how the rules can sometimes be broken, delivering an unorthodox soccer playing style that delivered outstanding results.
3. Never Forget Your Teammates
Pele might have broken records with his goalscoring record, but he didn’t score these goals in isolation.
Remember to thank your teammates for the role they played in your accomplishments.
Summary
That concludes our article exploring the net worth of Brazilian football player Pelé, from his legendary World Cup wins to his post-retirement business endeavors.
Pelé has remained active as a public figure and entrepreneur since retiring from soccer, and his net worth has continued to increase in recent years.
We’ll ensure this article covers any future changes to his financial status, so be sure to revisit again for the latest details.
As of November 2022, Pelé’s net worth is estimated to be $100 Million.
