Pelé admitted to affairs and discovered some of his children years later

Brazilian football legend Pelé admitted to having multiple affairs during his marriages, revealing that he only discovered some of his children years after their births. According to the Daily Star, the three-time World Cup winner discussed his personal life in a 2021 Netflix documentary, acknowledging that remaining faithful had been difficult.

“In all honesty it was. I’ve had a few affairs, some of which resulted in children. But I only learned about them later.” Pelé, whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, added: “My first wife, my first girlfriend, knew all about it. I never lied to anyone.”

The Brazilian icon, who died aged 82 in December 2022, was married three times and had seven recognised children.His children included Edinho, Kely and Jennifer, whom he had with his first wife, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi. He later had twins Joshua and Celeste with his second wife, Assiria Lemos Seixas.Pelé also fathered Sandra Machado, confirmed through a court-ordered DNA test, and Flavia with journalist Lenita Kurtz.He married his third wife, Marcia Cibele Aoki, in 2006.