Throughout Pele‘s entire career, his mother Celeste played a crucial role. Now that “O’Rei” has passed away, we look back on some of the memories they shared.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento recently celebrated Celeste’s 100th birthday by posting a message of gratitude to her on Instagram.
“Brazilian Mother of the Year” was given to Pele’s mother.
Prior to the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, Pele was practicing with the Brazilian National Team in Teresopolis when he noticed his mother had shown up at the practice fields without being invited. He immediately ran to give her a bear hug.
She had just been named “Brazilian Mother of the Year” by O’Globo. She was married to Dondinho, a.k.a. Joao Ramos do Nascimento.
Celeste was born in Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil, but the family moved to Bauru when Pele was a young child. His mother encouraged him to pursue his dreams in soccer, and he found success there at a very young age.
