Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi: Pelé’s First Wife and Mother of His Children

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi is best known as the first wife of Pelé, the Brazilian football icon widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history. While Pelé’s name echoed across stadiums worldwide, Rosemeri stood beside him during some of the most defining years of his career — including two of his three FIFA World Cup victories.

The couple married on February 21, 1966, and spent 16 years together before divorcing in 1982. During their marriage, they welcomed three children: Kelly Cristina, Edson “Edinho” Arantes do Nascimento Jr., and Jennifer. Despite the enormous fame that surrounded her husband, Rosemeri largely stayed out of the public spotlight, choosing a more private life away from the cameras and media attention that followed Pelé everywhere he went.

Since the divorce, Rosemeri has maintained a quiet existence, rarely giving interviews or making public appearances. After Pelé’s passing on December 29, 2022, renewed interest in his personal life brought Rosemeri’s name back into public conversation. Here’s what we know about the woman who shared her life with football’s greatest legend during his peak years.

Early Life and Background

Childhood in Brazil

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was born in 1942 in Brazil. Details about her early childhood, family background, and upbringing remain scarce, largely because she wasn’t a public figure before meeting Pelé. What is known is that she grew up in Brazil during a period when the country was rapidly developing its identity as a football powerhouse on the world stage.

Life Before Meeting Pelé

Before her path crossed with one of the most famous men on the planet, Rosemeri lived an ordinary life in Brazil. She wasn’t involved in entertainment, sports, or any public-facing career that would have put her in the spotlight. This preference for privacy would remain a defining characteristic throughout her life, even during the years she spent as the wife of an international superstar.

How Rosemeri Met Pelé

Rosemeri and Pelé met in Santos, a coastal city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the mid-1960s. At the time, Pelé was already a household name in Brazil and increasingly famous around the world. He’d been playing for Santos FC since 1956, when he joined the club at just 15 years old, and had already won his first two World Cups with Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Santos was the center of Pelé’s professional life, and the city’s social circles naturally intersected with the football club’s orbit. Rosemeri caught the young footballer’s attention, and the two began a courtship that would lead to marriage within a couple of years. By the time they started dating, Pelé was in his mid-twenties and at the absolute peak of his athletic abilities, scoring goals at a rate that seemed almost impossible.

Their relationship developed during an era when Brazilian football was dominating the international scene, and Pelé was the face of that dominance. For Rosemeri, entering into a relationship with someone of that stature meant accepting a life that would always have football and fame at its center.

Marriage to Pelé

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi and Pelé tied the knot on February 21, 1966, in a ceremony that attracted significant media attention in Brazil. Pelé was 25 years old at the time and already considered by many to be the greatest footballer who had ever lived. The wedding was a major event in Brazilian pop culture, with fans and media alike fascinated by the personal life of their national hero.

The marriage spanned 16 years, from 1966 to 1982, covering some of the most important chapters of Pelé’s career. During their time together, Pelé won his third World Cup with Brazil in 1970 in Mexico — a tournament that cemented his status as the greatest of all time. He continued playing for Santos FC until 1974 and then made his famous move to the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), where he played from 1975 to 1977.

That move to New York brought significant changes for the family. Rosemeri and the children relocated to the United States, adapting to a completely different culture and lifestyle. The Cosmos years turned Pelé into an even bigger global celebrity, as he helped popularize soccer in a country where the sport had previously struggled to gain a foothold.

Throughout the marriage, Rosemeri was known for maintaining a low profile. While Pelé was constantly in front of cameras, attending events, and traveling the world, Rosemeri focused on raising their children and managing the household. She appeared at some public functions alongside her husband but generally avoided seeking attention for herself.

Children With Pelé

Rosemeri and Pelé had three children together during their 16-year marriage, each born during different stages of Pelé’s legendary career.

Kelly Cristina Nascimento (Born 1967)

Their first child, Kelly Cristina, was born on January 13, 1967, less than a year after the couple’s wedding. She arrived during one of the most prolific periods of Pelé’s time at Santos FC. Kelly Cristina grew up to lead a relatively private life compared to her father’s enormous public profile.

Edson “Edinho” Arantes do Nascimento Jr. (Born 1970)

Their son Edinho was born on August 27, 1970, just months after Pelé’s triumphant third World Cup victory in Mexico. Named after his father (whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento), Edinho followed in Pelé’s footsteps by pursuing a career in football. He became a professional goalkeeper and played for Santos FC, the same club where his father had made history. Edinho’s life, however, was marked by controversy, including legal troubles that made headlines in Brazil.

Jennifer Nascimento (Born 1978)

The couple’s youngest child, Jennifer, was born in 1978, during the later years of the marriage. By this time, Pelé had retired from professional football following his stint with the New York Cosmos. Jennifer, like her older sister Kelly Cristina, has generally kept a low profile in adulthood.

Divorce and Life After Pelé

Rosemeri and Pelé divorced in 1982 after 16 years of marriage. The specific reasons for their split were never publicly detailed in full, though it was widely reported in Brazilian media that Pelé’s infidelities played a significant role in the breakdown of the relationship. Pelé himself later acknowledged having numerous affairs during his playing career, and he also publicly recognized several children born outside of his marriages.

After the divorce, Rosemeri retreated even further from public life. She didn’t pursue a career in media or entertainment, and she didn’t capitalize on her connection to Pelé for commercial purposes. This stands in contrast to the typical trajectory of many celebrity ex-spouses, and it reflects the deeply private nature that had defined Rosemeri’s character throughout her adult life.

Very little information is available about her personal activities, residence, or social life in the decades following the divorce. She hasn’t been a regular presence on social media platforms, and she’s rarely been photographed or interviewed by Brazilian or international media outlets.

Pelé went on to marry twice more after his divorce from Rosemeri. He married Assíria Lemos Seixas in 1994, and that marriage lasted until 2008. In 2016, Pelé married Marcia Aoki, a Japanese-Brazilian businesswoman, and they remained together until his death in 2022.

The Legacy of Pelé

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, is widely considered the greatest football player of all time. Over the course of his career, he scored over 1,000 professional goals — a feat that remains unmatched. He won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962, and 1970), and his performances in those tournaments are still talked about with reverence more than half a century later.

Beyond his playing career, Pelé served as Brazil’s Minister of Sports from 1995 to 1998 and worked as a global ambassador for football and humanitarian causes. He was awarded numerous honors, including being named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000.

Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, in São Paulo, Brazil, at the age of 82. The cause of death was complications related to colon cancer, which he had been battling since 2021. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from athletes, world leaders, and fans across the globe. A period of national mourning was declared in Brazil, and his funeral at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos drew thousands of mourners who came to pay their final respects to the man they simply called “O Rei” — The King.

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, as the mother of three of Pelé’s children and his partner during some of his most iconic years, holds a unique and significant place in the story of his life.

Personal Life

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi has been remarkably successful at keeping her personal life out of the public eye, especially considering how famous her ex-husband was. After her divorce from Pelé in 1982, she didn’t remarry publicly, and there’s no confirmed information about subsequent romantic relationships.

Now in her early eighties, Rosemeri is believed to still reside in Brazil, though her exact location isn’t publicly known. She hasn’t made any notable public appearances in recent years, and she doesn’t appear to maintain any public social media accounts.

Her relationship with her children — Kelly Cristina, Edinho, and Jennifer — appears to have remained strong over the years, though the family has kept the details of their private interactions away from the press. Following Pelé’s death in December 2022, there was renewed public curiosity about all of his former partners and children, but Rosemeri did not make any public statements.

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi’s Net Worth in 2026

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi’s net worth in 2026 has not been publicly verified or reported by any credible financial source. Because she has lived such a private life and hasn’t been involved in any publicly known business ventures, media projects, or endorsement deals, it’s impossible to provide an accurate figure.

It’s reasonable to assume that she received a financial settlement as part of her 1982 divorce from Pelé, who had amassed considerable wealth during his football career and through various endorsement deals and business interests. However, the specific terms of their divorce settlement were never made public.

Pelé’s own net worth at the time of his death in 2022 was estimated at around $100 million, accumulated over decades of playing, endorsements, and business activities. Whether Rosemeri or their three children were included in his estate plans hasn’t been publicly disclosed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Was Pelé’s First Wife?

Pelé’s first wife was Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, also known as Rosemary Cholbi. They married on February 21, 1966, and divorced in 1982. During their 16-year marriage, they had three children: Kelly Cristina, Edinho, and Jennifer.

How Many Times Was Pelé Married?

Pelé was married three times. His first marriage was to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi (1966–1982). He then married Assíria Lemos Seixas (1994–2008) and finally Marcia Aoki in 2016. He was married to Marcia at the time of his death on December 29, 2022.

How Many Children Did Rosemeri Have With Pelé?

Rosemeri and Pelé had three children together: Kelly Cristina Nascimento (born January 13, 1967), Edson “Edinho” Arantes do Nascimento Jr. (born August 27, 1970), and Jennifer Nascimento (born 1978).

Where Is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Now?

As of 2026, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi is believed to be living in Brazil, though her exact whereabouts aren’t publicly known. She’s maintained an extremely private life since her divorce from Pelé in 1982 and rarely makes public appearances or statements.

When Did Pelé Die?

Pelé passed away on December 29, 2022, in São Paulo, Brazil, at the age of 82. The cause of death was complications from colon cancer. He was survived by his third wife, Marcia Aoki, and several children from his three marriages.

Related Celebrities

Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi’s story is inseparable from that of Pelé, whose influence extended far beyond football. As one of the most recognizable athletes in history, Pelé crossed paths with presidents, musicians, actors, and fellow sports legends throughout his life. His fame brought Rosemeri into contact with some of the most prominent figures in Brazilian society during the 1960s and 1970s.

Their son Edinho also gained recognition in Brazilian football as a professional goalkeeper for Santos FC, carrying the weight of his father’s legendary surname onto the pitch. While Edinho’s career didn’t reach the same heights as his father’s, he carved out his own path in the sport that defined the family name.

Pelé’s subsequent wives — Assíria Lemos Seixas and Marcia Aoki — are also figures of public interest, each having played a role in different chapters of the football legend’s personal life. Together, these women represent the personal side of a man whose public achievements changed the world of sport forever.