A look at Pelé's life: facts and events from a successful career

A minute of Pelé in pictures 1:00

(CNN) --

Here's a look into the life of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, a former professional Brazilian soccer player who has died at the age of 82.

During his participations in the World Cup, he scored 12 goals in 14 games.

He participated in four World Cups, of which he won three with his team (1958, 1962 and 1970).

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Personal information

• Date of birth:

  October 23, 1940

• Place of birth:

  Três Corações, Brazil

• Birth name:

  Edson Arantes do Nascimento

• Father:

  João Ramos do Nascimento, known as "Dondinho", soccer player

• Mother:

  Celeste Arantes do Nascimento

• Marriages:

  Marcia Cibele Aoki (2016-present), Assíria Lemos (1994-2010, divorce), Rosemeri Cholbi (1966-1978, divorce)

• Children:

  with Rosemeri Cholbi: Kely, Edson and Jennifer;

  with Anisia Machado: Sandra (died of cancer in 2006);

  with Lenita Kurtz: Flavia Christina;

  with Assíria Lemos: Joshua and Celeste

• Date of death:

  December 29, 2022

Other data

His nicknames are Pérola Negra (Black Pearl), O Rei (The King) and Dico.

He began playing soccer professionally at the age of 15.

His position was center forward, his jersey number was 10, and he played for Club de Fútbol Santos from 1956 to 1974.

He first won the World Cup at the age of 17.

The president of Brazil declared Pelé a national treasure, preventing him from signing for a team outside of Brazil.

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Its name is in honor of Thomas Edison.

He has several memoirs, including "Pelé: My Life and the Beautiful Game," "My Life in Pictures," and "Pelé: The Autobiography."

He appeared in several movies in the 1970s and 1980s.

He composed the soundtrack for the film "Pelé (1977)", as well as other musical pieces.

Pelé Day is celebrated in Santos, Brazil, on November 19 of each year, to recognize the date of his 1,000th goal.

He scored 1,281 goals in his professional career (in 1,363 games).

He was the spokesman for the Viagra brand.

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Chronology

September 7, 1956 -

Scores his first professional goal in his league debut, during a match between Santos FC and Corinthians Football Club.

1958 -

Wins his first World Cup.

He scored six goals and was the second highest scorer.

1962 -

Brazil and Pelé defend the title.

Second World Cup.

1967 -

Both sides involved in the Nigerian civil war call for a ceasefire to watch Pelé and the Santos team play an exhibition match in Lagos.

Nov. 19, 1969 –

Scores his 1,000th goal in his 909th first-class game.

1970

- Wins his third World Cup.

He scored four goals.

1974 -

Announces his retirement.

1975 -

Sign a contract to play for the New York Cosmos.

October 1, 1977 -

Retires with an exhibition match between Cosmos and Santos FC.

He plays the first half with the Cosmos and the second with Santos.

1978 -

Receives the International Peace Prize.

1993 -

Inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame.

1995-1998 -

He is the Extraordinary Minister of Sports of Brazil.

December 3, 1997 -

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom grants him an honorary knighthood.

1998 -

A law, dubbed the "Pelé Law", is passed to deal with corruption in Brazilian soccer.

Entered into force in 2001.

1999 -

The International Olympic Committee names him "Athlete of the Century."

2000 -

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) names him "Player of the Century", along with Argentine Diego Maradona.

2005 -

Receives the lifetime achievement award on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year programme.

November 2012 -

Undergoes a successful hip operation at a Sao Paulo hospital.

October 2013 -

Receives two Guinness World Records certificates for "Most Career Goals" and "Most World Cup Winner's Medals."

November 13, 2014 -

He undergoes surgery to remove kidney stones.

November 24, 2014 -

He is admitted to a Brazilian hospital with a urinary tract infection.

On November 29, the hospital issues two statements saying that Pelé continues to improve and that doctors plan to withdraw him from dialysis the next day.

December 4, 2014 -

Brazilian soccer club Santos signs Pelé to a lifetime contract, making him its lifetime global ambassador.

December 9, 2014 -

He is discharged from the hospital.

May 7, 2015 -

He is hospitalized to undergo prostate surgery.

He is discharged after two days.

August 5, 2016 -

It is announced that he will not light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2016 summer games due to health problems.

September 13, 2018 -

Launches The Pelé Foundation, a charity that will partner with other organizations to benefit children, specifically in the areas of poverty and education.

April 3, 2019 -

He is transferred to a Paris hospital for a urinary infection.

April 9, 2019 -

He returns to Brazil and is admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo for a urinary infection caused by kidney stones.

Four days later, he is operated on.

He leaves the hospital two days after the operation.

February 23, 2021 -

The documentary "Pelé" premieres on Netflix.

September 6, 2021 -

Pelé announces on social media that he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his colon on September 4.

September 30, 2021 -

He is released from the hospital following surgery to remove a tumor from his colon.

February 13, 2022 -

Pelé returns to the hospital for cancer treatment.

According to the hospital, Pelé is discharged on February 28 after being treated for a urinary tract infection, as well as a tumor.

April 18, 2022 -

According to a spokesperson for the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Pelé has returned to the hospital for cancer treatment.

On April 21, the hospital reports that Pele left the hospital in stable condition.

December 2, 2022 -

The Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in São Paulo releases a statement saying that Pelé is being treated for a "respiratory infection."

December 29, 2022 -

Died at age 82.

Pele