Net Worth Ranker
What Was Pelé’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on December 29, 2022, Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer, had a net worth of $100 million. This impressive figure was accumulated over decades through playing contracts, endorsements, and strategic investments. Pelé’s financial success mirrored his extraordinary achievements on the field, solidifying his status as a global icon both on and off the pitch.
Pelé’s Earnings and Contracts
Pelé’s earning power peaked in the mid-1970s when he was the highest-paid athlete in the world. At that time, his combined salary and endorsements amounted to the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $10 million per year. While specific details of his early contracts with Santos FC are not publicly available, his move to the New York Cosmos in 1975 was a landmark deal. The Cosmos contract was worth $4.5 million in total, translating to approximately $1.7 million per year. When adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to a $25 million contract today, paying approximately $9 million annually. This lucrative contract not only made Pelé one of the highest-paid soccer players but also helped popularize soccer in the United States.
Beyond his playing contracts, Pelé secured significant endorsement deals throughout his career. One notable example is his agreement with Puma in the late 1960s. During the 1970 World Cup, Puma secured Pelé for $120,000, equivalent to about $1 million today. This deal included a unique clause where Pelé would tie his shoelaces at the start of a semi-final game, ensuring that cameras captured his Puma shoes, resulting in valuable brand exposure.
Early Life and Beginnings
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pelé, was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil. His father, Dondinho, was also a professional footballer. Pelé’s early life was marked by poverty, growing up in Bauru, Sao Paulo. Despite financial constraints, his passion for football was evident from a young age. His father taught him the basics of the game, and he often played with a grapefruit due to the family’s inability to afford a proper soccer ball.
As a youth, Pelé played for several local teams and excelled in indoor football (futsal). At the age of 15, his skills caught the attention of Santos FC, leading to a contract in 1956. Specific financial details of his initial contract with Santos FC are not available, but his rapid ascent to becoming the league’s top scorer at age 16 indicates his immediate value to the club.
Career Highlights and Statistics
Pelé’s professional career began with Santos FC, where he quickly made a name for himself. By the age of 16, he was the top scorer in the Brazilian league. He was soon called up to the Brazilian national team, participating in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. Throughout his career, Pelé remained loyal to Santos, despite offers from major European clubs. He played a pivotal role in the team’s success, including winning the 1962 Intercontinental Cup and the Copa Libertadores in 1963.
One of Pelé’s significant achievements is his record of scoring the most goals in the top division, with 541 goals. Across all tournaments, he scored a staggering 1297 goals, a testament to his prolific goal-scoring ability. These records, combined with his three World Cup titles (1958, 1962, and 1970), solidify his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. In 1969, during the Nigerian Civil War, a 48-hour truce was called so that both sides could watch Pelé play in a stadium in Lagos, highlighting his global impact and appeal.
Pelé’s move to the New York Cosmos in 1975 marked a new chapter in his career. He played for the Cosmos until 1977, attracting significant attention to soccer in the United States. In 1977, he drew over 62,000 fans to one of his Cosmos matches at the Giant Stadium, demonstrating his influence on the sport’s popularity in America.
Post-Retirement Activities and Endorsements
After retiring from professional football, Pelé remained active as a global ambassador for the sport and engaged in various endorsement deals. Although the specific financial details of all his endorsements are not publicly available, his long-standing relationship with Puma was particularly notable. This partnership extended beyond the 1970 World Cup and included various promotional activities and product endorsements throughout his career. Pelé also worked with numerous other companies, leveraging his image and reputation to promote their products. After retiring, Pelé continued to earn tens of millions of dollars from endorsements with companies, notably Puma.
Pelé’s ambassadorial work included appointments as a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment in 1992 and as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1994. These roles reflected his commitment to social and environmental causes, further enhancing his public image. The exact financial compensation for these roles is not publicly disclosed, but they contributed to his overall earnings and influence.
Controversies and Legal Matters
Throughout his life, Pelé faced several controversies and legal issues. In 2001, he was accused of being involved in a corruption scandal related to $700,000 allegedly stolen from UNICEF. The details of the case and its resolution are complex, but it affected his reputation. In 1994, he was banned from attending the FIFA World Cup draw in Las Vegas due to a feud with the then-President of FIFA, Joao Havelange.
In 2016, Pelé sued Samsung Electronics for $30 million, alleging false endorsements and violation of his right to publicity. The lawsuit claimed that a 2015 Samsung ad featured a man who resembled Pelé and included a scene with his signature bicycle kick. While the specific outcome of the lawsuit is not detailed in the available information, such legal actions underscore the value of his image and brand.
Personal Life and Relationships
Pelé’s personal life included several marriages and relationships. He married Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi in 1966, and they had three children before divorcing in 1982. Later, he had a relationship with a Brazilian TV presenter named Xuxa. In 1994, he married Assíria Lemos Seixas, a psychologist, with whom he had two more children before divorcing in 2008. In 2016, at the age of 73, Pelé married Marcia Aoki, a Japanese-Brazilian woman, after dating for several years. Pelé had seven children in total, some of whom were the result of affairs.
His widow, Marcia Aoki, inherited 30% of Pelé’s assets per his will, indicating the financial arrangements made for his family after his death.
Real Estate Assets
Pelé invested in real estate throughout his life, adding to his overall net worth. In 1974, soon after signing with the New York Cosmos, he purchased an apartment at 54th and Second Avenue in New York City. While the specific purchase price is not available, this investment reflects his financial success and lifestyle.
In 1979, Pelé bought a one-acre waterfront property in East Hampton, New York, for $156,000. He subsequently built a 3,400-square-foot mansion on the property. He listed the home for sale in March 2018 for $3.25 million and eventually sold it for $2.85 million in August 2018. This real estate transaction demonstrates his ability to invest wisely and generate significant returns.
Pelé also owned several properties in his native Brazil, including an oceanfront compound in the town of Guarujá. While specific details and valuations of these properties are not publicly available, they contributed to his overall net worth and financial security.
Death and Legacy
Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, after battling colon cancer and a respiratory infection. His death marked the end of an era, and his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time remains intact. In March 2023, the Kihali Pelé Stadium in Rwanda was renamed in his honor, a testament to his global impact and recognition. His net worth was $100 million when he died.
