For decades, the world watched Edson Arantes do Nascimento, universally known as Pelé, dazzle on the soccer field, but few knew the woman standing quietly in his shadow during his rise to global superstardom. Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was the first wife of the King of Football, the mother of his three eldest children, and a figure who chose dignity and privacy over the glare of the spotlight. While Pelé’s life was an open book of goals, trophies, and public affairs, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi remained an enigma, a grounding force who eventually built a quiet life away from the cameras in the United States.
Quick Bio of Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi |
| Known For | First Wife of Pelé |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Ethnicity | Brazilian (Latina) |
| Estimated Age | Late 70s (Born mid-1940s) |
| Ex-Spouse | Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) |
| Marriage Date | February 1966 |
| Divorce Date | 1982 |
| Children | Kely, Edinho, Jennifer |
| Grandchildren | Stephany, Sophia, and others |
| Current Residence | New York, United States |
| Status | Alive |
Who is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi?
Understanding the woman behind the legend starts with looking at her early years in Brazil. Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi met Pelé in the 1960s, a time when he was already becoming a national treasure but had not yet reached the peak of his international celebrity in the United States. Unlike the partners of modern athletes who often seek fame, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was known for her reserved nature. She captured the heart of the young soccer star not with flamboyance, but with a quiet charm that provided a sanctuary from his chaotic public life.
When discussing the Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi age, it is estimated that she is currently in her late 70s. She married Pelé in 1966, suggesting she was born in the mid-1940s. Throughout her life, she has maintained a level of secrecy that makes pinning down her exact birthdate difficult. While you might not find a detailed Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Wikipédia page dedicated solely to her biography, her influence on Pelé’s early career and personal stability is undeniable. She was the woman who transitioned him from a young prodigy into a family man.
The Fairy Tale Wedding of Pelé and Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi
The union of Pelé Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was one of the most covered events in Brazil during the swinging sixties. They tied the knot in February 1966 in a ceremony that could only be described as a media frenzy. Photographers clamored to get a shot of the “King” and his new queen, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, who looked stunning in a classic white gown. Following the wedding, the couple embarked on a European honeymoon, visiting Germany and Paris, where Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was introduced to the international lifestyle that would define much of her marriage.
At the time, the public saw a perfect picture: the world’s greatest athlete and his beautiful, supportive wife. Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi settled into domestic life in Santos, Brazil, where she focused on building a home while Pelé traveled the globe with both Santos FC and the Brazilian National Team. However, the pressures of fame were already beginning to mount. The dynamic of Pelé Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi was often strained by his long absences and the constant adoration of female fans, a reality that Rosemeri handled with remarkable stoicism during those early years.
Life in New York and the “Cosmos” Era
In 1975, the family’s life changed forever when Pelé signed a massive contract with the New York Cosmos. This move brought Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi and their children to New York City, a place that would eventually become her permanent home. The move to the US offered Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi a chance to live with slightly more anonymity than in Brazil, where she was constantly recognized. In New York, she could walk the streets and raise her children with a semblance of normalcy, even as her husband hung out with Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol at Studio 54.
It was during this era that the cracks in the marriage became impossible to ignore. Pelé’s lifestyle in New York was filled with parties and events, often leaving Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi at home. Despite this, she embraced the American way of life, learning English and ensuring her children received a top-tier education. The decision to move to New York was pivotal; even after the marriage ended, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi chose to stay in the US, far removed from the Brazilian tabloids that were hungry for gossip about her personal life.
The Children of Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi
Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi is the mother of Pelé’s three eldest children, who are perhaps the most well-known of his offspring. Her primary focus throughout her life has been their upbringing and protection.
Kely Cristina Nascimento, born in 1967, is the eldest. Kely is an artist and activist who has frequently acted as the family spokesperson. She shares a close bond with her mother, and it was Kely who provided the world with updates on Pelé’s health in his final days.
Edson “Edinho” Cholbi do Nascimento, born in 1970, is the couple’s only son. The relationship between Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi and Edinho has always been tight-knit. When Edinho faced legal troubles in Brazil years later, it was his mother’s unwavering support from the US that helped him navigate his darkest moments.
Jennifer Nascimento, born in 1978, is the youngest of the Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi children. Jennifer is famously private, much like her mother. She rarely appears in the media, preferring to live a quiet life away from the legacy of her surname.
Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Divorce and Aftermath
By the late 1970s, the marriage had deteriorated effectively, though the official Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi divorce was finalized in 1982. The split was driven by Pelé’s admitted infidelities. In later documentaries, Pelé confessed that he had many affairs and often felt that marriage was difficult to sustain with his lifestyle. For Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, the divorce was a chance to reclaim her identity. She did not seek to destroy his reputation in the press; instead, she quietly exited the marriage, securing a stable future for herself and her children in New York.
The Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi divorce marked the end of her public life. While Pelé went on to date models like Xuxa and marry two more times (to Assíria Lemos Seixas and later Marcia Aoki), Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi never sought to return to the limelight. She dedicated herself to her role as a mother and eventually a grandmother. Her dignity during the split earned her the respect of those who knew the truth of the situation, as she refused to engage in mudslinging.
The Next Generation: Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Grandchildren
Today, the legacy of Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi lives on through her grandchildren. She is a grandmother to Stephany Nascimento and Sophia Nascimento, the daughters of her son Edinho. The bond between Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Stephany Nascimento and the other grandchildren is said to be strong, fostered by family gatherings in the US.
In 2022, photos surfaced of Sophia Nascimento visiting her grandfather in the hospital, bridging the gap between the generations. While Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi herself was not photographed at the hospital, her influence was present through her children and grandchildren who gathered to say goodbye to the legend. The Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi grandchildren are now adults, carving out their own paths while carrying the heritage of both the King of Football and the matriarch who held the family together.
Where is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi Now?
Many fans often ask, is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi alive? The answer is yes. As of late 2025 and entering 2026, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi is alive and residing in the United States. She has successfully managed to stay completely off the radar. Unlike other celebrity ex-wives who write tell-all books or appear on reality TV, Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi has maintained a silence that speaks volumes about her character.
Questions about Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi now usually lead to dead ends because she values her privacy so highly. However, snippets of her life appear on social media through her children. For instance, her son Edinho has posted tributes to her, calling her his “Queen.” During the difficult period of Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi 2022, when the world lost Pelé, she mourned privately. She did not attend the public funeral in Santos, Brazil, likely to avoid the media circus, preferring to remember the father of her children in her own way.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi?
She is the first wife of the late soccer legend Pelé and the mother of his three eldest children. - Is Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi still alive?
Yes, she is alive and currently resides in the United States, maintaining a private life. - How many children does she have?
She shares three children with Pelé: Kely Cristina, Edson (Edinho), and Jennifer Nascimento. - When did Pelé and Rosemeri divorce?
The couple separated in the late 1970s and their divorce was officially finalized in 1982. - Where does Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi live now?
She has lived in the New York area of the United States since moving there with Pelé in 1975.
Conclusion
The story of Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi is one of resilience and grace. She was more than just a footnote in the history of soccer; she was the partner who stood by Pelé during his most transformative years. From the Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi age of innocence in 1960s Brazil to her mature years as a matriarch in New York, she has remained consistent in her values.
While search terms like pelē rosemeri dos reis cholbi or rosemeri dos reis cholbi âge (in French searches) continue to trend, the woman herself remains elusive. She is a reminder that even in the orbit of the most famous man on earth, it is possible to keep one’s soul private. Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi remains the quiet queen of the Nascimento dynasty, ensuring that while her ex-husband belonged to the world, her family belonged to her.
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