Pelé Estate — Net Worth and Career Earnings
Pelé's estate is estimated at approximately $20 million as of 2026, a figure that has been subject to legal dispute among his surviving children following his death on December 29, 2022 in São Paulo at age 82 from colon cancer. The relatively modest estate value relative to his iconic status reflects both the era in which he played — when football wages were a fraction of modern levels — and the complex financial management of his later life. Despite this, ongoing licensing income from his image and the Pelé brand continues to generate revenue for the estate.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento — Pelé — was the only footballer to win three FIFA World Cups, doing so in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He won the 1958 tournament at 17 years and 249 days old, the youngest World Cup winner in history — scoring twice in the final against Sweden. His estimated 1,281 goals in 1,363 official appearances remains one of the most extraordinary athletic achievements in any sport. He spent most of his career at Santos FC in Brazil before joining the New York Cosmos in 1975, helping pioneer professional football in the United States. His death triggered an outpouring of global grief that confirmed his standing as the sport's most universally beloved figure.