The Seven Heirs And The Eighth Claim: A Deep Dive Into Pelé's Children And Their Inheritance Battle
The legacy of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, universally known as Pelé, continues to unfold years after his passing, not just on the pitch, but within his complex family life. As of late 2025, the focus remains firmly on the King of Football's seven recognized children and the high-stakes legal battles surrounding his considerable estate, estimated to be over $100 million. Pelé's final will, which acknowledged the possibility of an unrecognized heir, has fueled a dramatic and ongoing court case that pits the recognized family against a woman claiming to be his eighth child.
The story of Pelé's family is one of public adoration and private turmoil, marked by affairs, years of denial, and eventual, court-mandated recognition. From the outspoken activist Kely Nascimento to the former professional footballer Edinho, each of Pelé’s children carries a unique piece of his storied name, while the fight for the final distribution of his fortune remains one of the most compelling stories in global celebrity inheritance history.
The Seven Recognized Children of Pelé: A Complete Family Profile
Pelé's personal life was as dynamic as his career, resulting in three marriages and numerous relationships that led to seven recognized children. Their mothers are Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, Anisia Machado, Lenita Kurtz, and Assíria Lemos Seixas. Here is a complete biographical profile of each heir:
- Kely Cristina Arantes do Nascimento
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Born: 1967
- Current Role: Kely is the eldest daughter and has become the most public face of the family, especially during Pelé's final illness and death. She is a New York-based filmmaker, photographer, activist, and creative director. She frequently uses social media to communicate on behalf of the family.
- Edson "Edinho" Cholbi Nascimento
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Born: 1970
- Current Role: Following in his father's footsteps, Edinho pursued a career in football, playing as a goalkeeper for several Brazilian clubs, including Santos FC. He is currently a football coach and has been involved in legal issues separate from the family estate. He is also the executor of Pelé's will and estate.
- Jennifer Arantes do Nascimento
- Mother: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (First Wife)
- Born: 1978
- Current Role: Jennifer is the most private of the three children from Pelé's first marriage. She generally keeps her life out of the public and media spotlight.
- Flávia Christina Kurtz Nascimento
- Mother: Lenita Kurtz (Journalist/Affair)
- Born: 1968
- Current Role: Flávia was born from an extramarital affair with journalist Lenita Kurtz. Unlike her half-sister Sandra, Pelé acknowledged Flávia as his daughter early in her life. She is often seen alongside her siblings, particularly Kely, and was present during her father’s final days.
- Sandra Regina Machado Arantes do Nascimento (Deceased)
- Mother: Anisia Machado (Housemaid/Affair)
- Born: 1964
- Tragic Story: Sandra was the subject of a decades-long paternity battle after Pelé refused to recognize her. She took him to court in 1991, and a court-ordered DNA test confirmed she was his daughter in 1993. She died of breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 42. Her share of Pelé’s estate is now passed to her two sons, Octávio Felinto Neto and Gabriel Arantes do Nascimento, whom Pelé met shortly before his death.
- Joshua Arantes do Nascimento (Twin)
- Mother: Assíria Lemos Seixas (Second Wife/Psychologist and Gospel Singer)
- Born: September 28, 1996
- Current Role: Joshua, along with his twin sister Celeste, was born during Pelé's second marriage. He reportedly studied at the University of Tampa in Florida, U.S.
- Celeste Arantes do Nascimento (Twin)
- Mother: Assíria Lemos Seixas (Second Wife/Psychologist and Gospel Singer)
- Born: September 28, 1996
- Current Role: Celeste is Joshua's twin sister. Like her brother, she also studied at the University of Tampa. She generally maintains a low profile compared to her older siblings.
The High-Stakes Fight for the Eighth Heir: Exhumation Demanded
The most dramatic and current chapter in the Pelé family saga revolves around the claim of an eighth child, a woman named Maria do Socorro Azevedo. This legal battle has dominated headlines in 2024 and 2025, throwing a significant wrench into the final settlement of Pelé's $100 million estate.
The Core of the Controversy:
Maria do Socorro Azevedo, 60 years old, claims to be Pelé’s daughter and has pursued legal action to prove her paternity. The legitimacy of her claim is rooted in two key facts:
- Pelé's Will: In a surprising move, Pelé's final will reportedly acknowledged the possibility of another child and stated that he had agreed to a paternity test before his death in December 2022. This clause gave immediate legal weight to Azevedo's case.
- The DNA Test Results: Pelé’s recognized children, including Edinho Nascimento and Flávia Christina Kurtz, initially agreed to undergo DNA testing to compare their genetic material with Azevedo's. The initial results from these tests were reported to be negative, suggesting no biological relationship.
Following the negative results, Maria do Socorro Azevedo took the dramatic, highly sensitive step of requesting the exhumation of Pelé's body, which is interred at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica in Santos, Brazil. However, the latest court ruling, issued by a Brazilian court in early 2024, determined that Azevedo had no biological relation based on the tests with the siblings and denied the exhumation request. Despite this ruling, some reports indicate the legal fight continues, with Azevedo still asserting her claim and the possibility of a further appeal or second test being mentioned, keeping the estate in limbo.
The Distribution of Pelé’s Estate and Final Wishes
The legal framework for Pelé's will dictates a specific distribution of his assets, but the ongoing paternity dispute has stalled the final process. Pelé’s estate is estimated to be worth over $100 million, including significant real estate holdings, intellectual property rights, and various investments.
Key Inheritance Details:
- Widow's Share: Pelé's third and final wife, businesswoman Marcia Cibele Aoki, is set to inherit 30% of his assets, as stipulated in the will.
- Children's Share: The remaining portion is legally required to be divided among his recognized heirs. This includes the seven children, with the late Sandra Regina Machado’s share passing directly to her two sons.
- The Contingency: The inclusion of the clause regarding the potential eighth child confirms Pelé's desire for the matter to be settled conclusively, even after his death. This foresight, while legally sound, is the very reason for the current, highly publicized family dispute.
The emotional and financial stakes are immense. The legal battle over the eighth child represents a final, painful chapter in Pelé's family history—a chapter defined by the quest for truth and recognition, echoing the long, arduous fight that his daughter Sandra Regina Machado endured decades before.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold in Brazil, the world watches to see if the King of Football's recognized family of seven will remain intact, or if a final court order will dramatically alter the line of succession and the ultimate distribution of one of football's greatest fortunes. The estate cannot be definitively settled until the courts deliver a final, unappealable decision on Maria do Socorro Azevedo's claim, making this a story that will continue to evolve throughout 2025 and beyond.
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