Pelé, who is a Brazilian football sensation, recently passed away at 82 years of age. After a long, drawn-out battle with colon cancer, the footballer succumbed to his illness. After his death, there was much speculation about which of his children he would have named in his will.
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Many rumours came to light about Pelé’s7th child that not many people knew about. But since the footballer named this 'secret daughter' in his will, the truth is finally out. Here’s everything that is known about Pelé’s 'secret daughter'.
Pelé’s relationships
Pelé is known to have dabbled in his share of romantic relationships over the years with various women. Some of which have resulted in him being a father again. The Brazilian athlete has married three times and fathered seven children, who will share his $13 million worth of assets. He fathered two children out of wedlock, and one of them waswith housemaid Anisia Machado. Anisia gave birth to Sandra Regina Machado.
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Pele’s 'secret daughter'
Pelé refused to acknowledge his paternity of Sandra since she was born out of an affair. And he allegedly even refused to take a DNA test to prove his paternity.
Sandra, who took Pelé to court in 1991, sued him and proved his paternity two years after when the court deemed her his daughter, based on DNA evidence, as per People. She even went on to author a booktitled The Daughter the King Didn't Want, based on her tedious journey to bring her father’s rejection to light.
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Unfortunately, Sandra died of cancer in 2006 and was succeeded by her husband and two children. But it turns out, Pelé did name Sandra in his will, and her share will be passed on to her sons, who Pelé met for the first time during his last days in hospital.
Sources used:
- People: 'All About Pelé's 7 Children'
- The Mirror: 'Pele's secret daughter named in his will - despite star denying she was his all her life'
