By Joiner Martínez
Jun 21, 2024, 16:59 PM EDT
Celeste Arantes, Pelé’s mother, died this Friday at the age of 101 in the Brazilian city of Santos, according to the footballer’s foundation, who died in December 2022.
The Pelé Foundation, which did not clarify the cause of death, regretted the departure of Arantes, known as Celestinha, whom it praised as a “model mother” and for having taught “human values” to her son.
Born in Três Corações, in Minas Gerais, Dona Celeste Arantes, mother of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or King Pelé, died at the age of 101 on this sixth fair (21), in Santos, off the coast of São Paulo.
Because of the death, it has not yet been disclosed. CBF reiterates its feelings and wishes… pic.twitter.com/6a4NYAI5Pc
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 21, 2024
“We will be eternally grateful to him for having existed,” said the association of the Brazilian soccer icon on social networks.
Santos, the club with which Pelé reached the pinnacle of the sport, joined in the condolences and declared an official three-day mourning period, with the flag at half-mast.
“It was 101 years of an inspiring life story, of a black woman who faced infinite adversity for the good of the family,” the team wrote.
The Santos Futebol Clube deeply regrets the death of Celeste Arantes do Nascimento, mother of our eternal King.
Born in Three Hearts, Celeste has a difficult childhood next to her brother Jorge. Ainda young, she knew Dondinho, as she lived a great story of… pic.twitter.com/HWkxRws6Xi
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) June 21, 2024
When Pelé died at the age of 82, the funeral procession passed in front of Arantes’ house in Santos as a sign of respect, because she was too weak to attend the funeral.
The life of Celeste Arantes
Celeste was married to João Ramos do Nascimento, known as Dondinho, until his death in 1996. Throughout her life, Celeste was a central figure in the Arantes do Nascimento family, as her children always made it known when they talked about her. Her most famous son, Pelé, died on December 29, 2022 at age 82. Before his death, Pelé had paid tribute to his mother in November 2022, celebrating her 100th birthday on the same day as the opening of the World Cup in Qatar.
Pelé, known as the ‘king of soccer’, shared numerous photographs with his mother on social networks, always expressing his deep gratitude for her teachings. “Since I was little, she taught me the value of love and peace. I have more than a hundred reasons to thank you for being her son. I share these photos with you, with great emotion, to celebrate this day. Thank you for every day by your side, mom,” was one of the Brazilian soccer player’s last publications about his mother.
Her grandson wrote: “…rest in peace, Vó”, attaching a photograph with her, a post that already has more than 4,000 likes in less than an hour.
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