Courtesy: The Statesman
Pelé is a retired Brazilian footballer who is regarded as a national hero in his home country. He is the country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 77 total goals. After retiring, Pelé became a global football ambassador as well as a political activist who worked to improve the lives of the poor in Brazil.
Net worth: According to Celebrity Net Worth, Pelé’s current estimated net worth is $100 Million.
Pelé’s Salary: During Pelé’s career, there was not a lot of money in the game. Despite this, he made around $6 million during his three-year stint with the New York Cosmos in the mid-1970s. While this is correct, the actual salary paid to Pele by Santos FC is not public knowledge.
Real Estate: Pelé’s Hamptons home was reported to have sold for $2.85 million in 2018. He had previously paid $156,000 for the house in 1979. Pelé gradually expanded the house into an opulent, 3,500-square-foot estate. Another significant advantage is the proximity to the beach. Pelé wasn’t exactly using the house at the age of 77, as he had long since retired in his home country of Brazil.
Pelé’s Investment: Pelé’s brilliance as a footballer did not translate into his business ventures, which failed miserably due to poor decision-making. His construction company was unable to thrive and eventually failed. Despite the fact that Café Pelé was regarded as one of the best coffee products in the world and enjoyed success, the ‘King of Football’ was unable to profit due to a bad deal.
Car collection: It is safe to say that the Brazilian owns a variety of cars and lives an exquisite life. These range from Maserati, Jeep, Mercedes, and Fiat. Currently, the star maintains a low profile while roaming about and hence drives a modest Fiat 500.
Endorsements: He nearly earned $14 Million through endorsements. Pelé earns a large portion of his income through sponsorship deals with companies such as Puma, Hublot, Volkswagen, Subway, Emirates, Procter & Gamble, Santander, and others. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics both taking place in Brazil, many companies signed Pelé as a brand ambassador.
Controversy: The majority of Pelé’s controversies arose after he retired from professional football. In 2001, the former footballer was charged with participating in a corruption scheme that stole $700,000 from UNICEF. He was barred from attending the FIFA World Cup draw in Las Vegas in 1994, owing to his feud with FIFA’s then-President, Joao Havelange.
The fact that Pelé hasn’t played the game in decades and is still a household name — and earning like one — is truly a testament to how great he was.