From 17-year-old footballing sensation to global icon, Pele lived a quite extraordinary life and enjoyed all the trappings of fame. This collection of pictures charts some of the memorable moments of Pele’s magnificent life, including marriage, signing up for national service, mixing with the glitterati and performing in his acting roles, as well as his more familiar exploits on the football pitch with Brazil and Santos – most famously of all in winning the World Cup three times.
Pele is pictured in 1958, the year he became a global superstar by helping Brazil win the World Cup at the age of just 17
![Here the teenage Pele strikes a shot during a training session in 1958, showing off his explosive power and athleticism](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48238873-10016521-image-a-29_1632305539435.jpg)
Here the teenage Pele strikes a shot during a training session in 1958, showing off his explosive power and athleticism
![Pele jokes around in front of a target in a shooting gallery in Stockholm, in between games at the 1958 World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239855-10016521-image-a-90_1632307621093.jpg)
Pele jokes around in front of a target in a shooting gallery in Stockholm, in between games at the 1958 World Cup
![Pele (10) causing problems for the France defence in the semi-final, which Brazil won 5-2. Pele scored a hat-trick in this game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239977-10016521-image-a-116_1632307988966.jpg)
Pele (10) causing problems for the France defence in the semi-final, which Brazil won 5-2. Pele scored a hat-trick in this game
![Here chatting with young Swedish girls during the 1958 World Cup, Pele would become the most famous footballer of all time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48240101-10016521-image-a-136_1632308296148.jpg)
Here chatting with young Swedish girls during the 1958 World Cup, Pele would become the most famous footballer of all time
![Pele weeps on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar dos Santos Neves after scoring two goals in the 1958 World Cup final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239851-10016521-image-m-93_1632307631973.jpg)
Pele weeps on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar dos Santos Neves after scoring two goals in the 1958 World Cup final
![After Brazil's 5-2 win in the final over Sweden, the world had new champions, a new superstar, and a beaming smile](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48240089-10016521-image-a-135_1632308284238.jpg)
After Brazil’s 5-2 win in the final over Sweden, the world had new champions, a new superstar, and a beaming smile
![After returning from Sweden, Pele was called up for national service in the Brazilian army; he he makes his oath of allegiance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239777-10016521-image-a-81_1632307471915.jpg)
After returning from Sweden, Pele was called up for national service in the Brazilian army; he he makes his oath of allegiance
![Pele played for just two clubs in his career, refusing a transfer away from his boyhood team Santos before retiring, then re-emerging to play in the United States. Here he leaps high to win a header for Santos in the Sao Paulo Championship in 1959](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/12/48240133-10016521-image-a-144_1632308433449.jpg)
Pele played for just two clubs in his career, refusing a transfer away from his boyhood team Santos before retiring, then re-emerging to play in the United States. Here he leaps high to win a header for Santos in the Sao Paulo Championship in 1959
![Pele with his Brazil team-mate Garrincha - who is arguably the greatest Brazilian player after Pele - in 1959](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239931-10016521-image-a-115_1632307968804.jpg)
![Pele plays a board game during some down time in 1958](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239929-10016521-image-m-114_1632307957325.jpg)
Pele with Garrincha, arguably the greatest Brazilian player ever after Pele, in 1959 (left); and playing a board game (right)
![In a sign of things to come, Pele lies on the ground in pain after receiving some rough treatment by Pernambuco in 1960](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239769-10016521-image-a-87_1632307555104.jpg)
In a sign of things to come, Pele lies on the ground in pain after receiving some rough treatment by Pernambuco in 1960
![Donning a fetching chef's hat, Pele turns his hand to some cooking for a picture taken around 1960](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239921-10016521-image-a-101_1632307769133.jpg)
Donning a fetching chef’s hat, Pele turns his hand to some cooking for a picture taken around 1960
![Pele poses with three women all wearing Mexican-style sombrero hats for a picture taken in March 1961](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48240093-10016521-image-a-139_1632308323591.jpg)
Pele poses with three women all wearing Mexican-style sombrero hats for a picture taken in March 1961
![Ahead of a game against England in May 1963, Pele enjoys the surroundings of the Selsdon Park Hotel in Croydon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48238875-10016521-image-a-27_1632305531025.jpg)
Ahead of a game against England in May 1963, Pele enjoys the surroundings of the Selsdon Park Hotel in Croydon
![Wearing a silk shirt and stylish slacks while leaning on a gleaming Mercedes-Benz, Pele shows off his fame and fortune in 1966](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48239973-10016521-image-a-118_1632308007009.jpg)
Wearing a silk shirt and stylish slacks while leaning on a gleaming Mercedes-Benz, Pele shows off his fame and fortune in 1966
![Before they headed off to England for the 1966 World Cup, Pele plays acoustic guitar surrounded by his Brazil team-mates](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/12/48240247-10016521-image-a-155_1632308775941.jpg)
Before they headed off to England for the 1966 World Cup, Pele plays acoustic guitar surrounded by his Brazil team-mates
![Pele is pictured at the ceremony for his wedding to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, the first of his three wives, in 1966](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/12/48240283-10016521-image-a-159_1632308876844.jpg)
Pele is pictured at the ceremony for his wedding to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, the first of his three wives, in 1966
![Pele soars above the competition for a header during Brazil's defeat by Portugal at Goodison Park in Liverpool](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/11/48238947-10016521-image-a-65_1632305904767.jpg)
Pele soars above the competition for a header during Brazil’s defeat by Portugal at Goodison Park in Liverpool
![The 1966 tournament was a rare miserable one for Pele as Brazil were roughly treated and eliminated in the group stage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/22/12/48240245-10016521-image-a-153_1632308754365.jpg)
The 1966 tournament was a rare miserable one for Pele as Brazil were roughly treated and eliminated in the group stage
![Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip present a trophy to Pele at the Maracana on a state visit to Brazil and also Chile in 1968](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/15/48250375-10016521-Queen_Elizabeth_and_Prince_Philip_present_a_trophy_to_Pele_at_th-a-1_1632408870228.jpg)
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip present a trophy to Pele at the Maracana on a state visit to Brazil and also Chile in 1968
![Pele's fame meant he was able to meet the great and the good of global society - here he is with US Senator Bobby Kennedy in the 1960s](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239679-10016521-x-a-4_1632396008053.jpg)
![His renown also saw him try his hand at acting - here he grapples with a foe while playing the title role of 'The Adventures of Plinio Pompeu'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48240077-10016521-x-a-21_1632396009569.jpg)
Pele’s fame meant he was able to meet the great and the good of global society – he is with US Senator Bobby Kennedy in the 1960s (left); his renown also saw him try his hand at acting – he grapples with a foe while playing the title role of ‘The Adventures of Plinio Pompeu’, a story of creatures from outser space who land on earth, in May 1969 (right)
![In the sci-fi TV series Os Estranhos (The Strangers), Pele is here flanked by two futuristically dressed 'aliens'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239853-10016521-image-a-29_1632396010086.jpg)
In the sci-fi TV series Os Estranhos (The Strangers), Pele is here flanked by two futuristically dressed ‘aliens’
![At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Pele saw England goalkeeper Gordon Banks make what has regularly been described as the greatest save of all time, flying to his right to somehow claw away the Brazilian's firm header in Guadalajara](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239917-10016521-image-a-2_1632396008039.jpg)
At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Pele saw England goalkeeper Gordon Banks make what has regularly been described as the greatest save of all time, flying to his right to somehow claw away the Brazilian’s firm header in Guadalajara
![There are few sporting images more iconic than Pele's embrace with England captain Bobby Moore after that game, a show of great mutual admiration, respect and sportsmanship](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48238893-10016521-x-a-5_1632396008058.jpg)
![That year, Pele would get his hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239677-10016521-x-a-7_1632396008060.jpg)
There are few sporting images more iconic than Pele’s embrace with England captain Bobby Moore after that game, a show of great mutual admiration, respect and sportsmanship; Pele would later get his hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy once again
![Even in Brazil's 'dream team' of 1970, Pele was still head and shoulders above the rest, literally in this case as he is hauled aloft by his team-mates after winning the final against Italy, 4-1, in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Pele had scored the first goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239915-10016521-image-a-3_1632396008049.jpg)
Even in Brazil’s ‘dream team’ of 1970, Pele was still head and shoulders above the rest, literally in this case as he is hauled aloft by his team-mates after winning the final against Italy, 4-1, in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. Pele had scored the first goal
![Golden boots were apt for the greatest striker of all time, here with Santos in 1970](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48238865-10016521-x-a-1_1632396008033.jpg)
![The only other club he played for was New York Cosmos, having come out of retirement in 1975 to help launch soccer in the United States](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239933-10016521-x-a-19_1632396009512.jpg)
Golden boots were apt for the greatest striker of all time, here with Santos in 1970 (left); the only other club he played for was New York Cosmos, having come out of retirement in 1975 to help launch soccer in the United States (right)
![Pele displays a crown presented to him after scoring his 1,000th career goal - he was nicknamed 'The King'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239781-10016521-image-a-8_1632396008192.jpg)
Pele displays a crown presented to him after scoring his 1,000th career goal – he was nicknamed ‘The King’
![Pele's monumental goalscoring feat is spelled out in footballs for this triumphant picture in December 1970](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48240141-10016521-image-a-23_1632396009669.jpg)
Pele’s monumental goalscoring feat is spelled out in footballs for this triumphant picture in December 1970
![In Rio de Janeiro on 18 July 1971, Pele played his final international match for Brazil, against Yugoslavia (above)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48240053-10016521-Sport_Football_Rio_de_Janeiro_Brazil_18th_July_1971_Brazil_2_v_Y-a-30_1632397918623.jpg)
In Rio de Janeiro on 18 July 1971, Pele played his final international match for Brazil, against Yugoslavia (above)
![After arriving at the Cosmos, Pele speaks with guest host Bert Convy on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in July 1975](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48238949-10016521-image-a-6_1632396008059.jpg)
After arriving at the Cosmos, Pele speaks with guest host Bert Convy on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in July 1975
![Pele's engagements also took him to the White House to meet President Richard Nixon, before he left office in 1974](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/13/48240097-10016521-Pele_s_engagements_also_took_him_to_the_White_House_to_meet_Pres-a-36_1632398695501.jpg)
![Pele with Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/13/48240135-10016521-image-m-35_1632398690231.jpg)
Pele’s engagements also took him to the White House to meet President Richard Nixon (left), before he left office in 1974, and a meeting with Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone (right)
![Pele enjoys a moment with another 1970s showbiz pal, rock star Rod Stewart, who is famously a fan of Celtic and Scotland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48240147-10016521-image-a-24_1632396009671.jpg)
Pele enjoys a moment with another 1970s showbiz pal, rock star Rod Stewart, who is famously a fan of Celtic and Scotland
![In his most famous acting role, Pele starred alongside both acting and football royalty in the 1981 film Escape to Victory, about a team of Allied prisoners of war taking on a team of Nazis in a bid to escape capture. Back Row (left-right): Russell Osman, Paul Van Himst, Mike Summerbee, Sylvester Stallone, John Wark, Kazimierz Deyna, Soren Linsted; Front Row: Hallvar Thoresen, Ossie Ardiles, Michael Caine, Pele, Bobby Moore and Co Prins](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48238867-10016521-image-a-9_1632396008424.jpg)
In his most famous acting role, Pele starred alongside both acting and football royalty in the 1981 film Escape to Victory, about a team of Allied prisoners of war taking on a team of Nazis in a bid to escape capture. Back Row (left-right): Russell Osman, Paul Van Himst, Mike Summerbee, Sylvester Stallone, John Wark, Kazimierz Deyna, Soren Linsted; Front Row: Hallvar Thoresen, Ossie Ardiles, Michael Caine, Pele, Bobby Moore and Co Prins
![Pele said his biggest regret was never having played competitively at Wembley, but here he gets a taste of the old stadium, scoring past his old rival Gordon Banks from the penalty spot during a friendly kickabout](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/23/12/48239779-10016521-image-a-12_1632396008847.jpg)
Pele said his biggest regret was never having played competitively at Wembley, but here he gets a taste of the old stadium, scoring past his old rival Gordon Banks from the penalty spot during a friendly kickabout
![Pele hands Formula One legend Michael Schumacher the trophy for winning the 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48238945-10016521-Pele_hands_Formula_One_legend_Michael_Schumacher_the_trophy_for_-a-2_1672344827240.jpg)
Pele hands Formula One legend Michael Schumacher the trophy for winning the 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo
![Golf's greatest meets football's greatest as Tiger Woods and Pele pose together at the 20th Century Sports Awards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48239971-10016521-Golf_s_greatest_meets_football_s_greatest_as_Tiger_Woods_and_Pel-a-3_1672344827242.jpg)
![Pele shows his skills to a group of Cuju players, an ancient game played with a leather ball which in China is claimed to be the 'origin' of football, at the Great Wall of China at Badaling in March 2002](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48240051-10016521-Pele_shows_his_skills_to_a_group_of_Cuju_players_an_ancient_game-a-4_1672344827244.jpg)
Golf’s greatest meets football’s greatest as Tiger Woods and Pele pose together at the 20th Century Sports Awards (left); Pele shows his skills to a group of Cuju players, an ancient game played with a leather ball which in China is claimed to be the ‘origin’ of football, at the Great Wall of China at Badaling in March 2002 (right)
![Pele with his second wife Assiria Lemos Seixas and the FIFA president Sepp Blatter next to Andy Warhol's portrait of him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48249959-10016521-Pele_with_his_second_wife_Assiria_Lemos_Seixas_and_the_FIFA_pres-a-5_1672344827245.jpg)
Pele with his second wife Assiria Lemos Seixas and the FIFA president Sepp Blatter next to Andy Warhol’s portrait of him
![Pele congratulates Ronaldo, the player of the tournament, after Brazil won yet another World Cup in Japan in 2002](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48239683-10016521-Pele_congratulates_Ronaldo_the_player_of_the_tournament_after_Br-a-6_1672344827247.jpg)
Pele congratulates Ronaldo, the player of the tournament, after Brazil won yet another World Cup in Japan in 2002
![Now with another Ronaldo - Cristiano - Pele hands the young superstar FIFA's 2008 world footballer of the year award](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48238897-10016521-Now_with_another_Ronaldo_Cristiano_Pele_hands_the_young_supersta-a-7_1672344827248.jpg)
Now with another Ronaldo – Cristiano – Pele hands the young superstar FIFA’s 2008 world footballer of the year award
![The only player ever considered by many to be Pele's equal was Diego Maradona. The rivals are here together at Euro 2016](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48238891-10016521-The_only_player_ever_considered_by_many_to_be_Pele_s_equal_was_D-a-8_1672344827250.jpg)
The only player ever considered by many to be Pele’s equal was Diego Maradona. The rivals are here together at Euro 2016
![Pele poses with his third wife, Marcia Aoki, at the premiere of 'Pele: Birth of a Legend' during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48238953-10016521-Pele_poses_with_his_third_wife_Marcia_Aoki_at_the_premiere_of_Pe-a-11_1672344827296.jpg)
Pele poses with his third wife, Marcia Aoki, at the premiere of ‘Pele: Birth of a Legend’ during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival
![Having helped Rio de Janeiro win hosting rights for the 2016 Games, Pele here enjoys hoisting the Olympic torch](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48240287-10016521-Having_helped_Rio_de_Janeiro_win_hosting_rights_for_the_2016_Gam-a-9_1672344827252.jpg)
Having helped Rio de Janeiro win hosting rights for the 2016 Games, Pele here enjoys hoisting the Olympic torch
![As his health declined in recent years Pele was rarely seen in public. His daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of them together with Pele smiling on a hospital bed in Sao Paulo after he underwent surgery for colon cancer in September 2021](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/48058107-10016521-As_his_health_declined_in_recent_years_Pele_was_rarely_seen_in_p-a-10_1672344827254.jpg)
As his health declined in recent years Pele was rarely seen in public. His daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of them together with Pele smiling on a hospital bed in Sao Paulo after he underwent surgery for colon cancer in September 2021
![Pele, pictured here with Marcia Aokoi, was admitted to hospital on November 30 and remained until his death](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/29/20/65093487-10016521-Pele_pictured_here_with_Marcia_Aokoi_was_admitted_to_hospital_on-a-1_1672344827196.jpg)
Pele, pictured here with Marcia Aokoi, was admitted to hospital on November 30 and remained until his death
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