Pele marries the 3rd time

Sao Paulo, July 10: Brazilian football legend Pele and his girlfriend got married in a private religious ceremony before family and a small group of friends this weekend in Brazil, media reports said. The 75-year-old, now in his third marrige, and his bride, who is 25 years younger to him, tied the knot on Saturday, reports Efe.

Edson Arantes do scimento, known universally as Pele, married Marcia Cibele Aoki, a businesswoman of Japanese descent, at an upscale banquet hall in Guaruja, a city on the coast of Sao Paulo state, before 100 guests and away from news photographers and television cameras, the soccer legend's publicists said.

The wedding dinner was prepared by Odilinha Hoehne, one of the most famous chefs in the neighbouring city of Santos, with the decorations by Pupy Zogaib.

The official photographs were taken by Tatia Ague. The soccer legend rented an entire hotel in the coastal city to house his guests, hiring stylist Jacques Janine to help female guests prepare for the big event away from the prying eyes of the press.

Pele told reporters that he met his bride at a party in New York in 1980 and they reconnected after bumping into each other in the elevator of the luxury Sao Paulo building where they lived.

"The King of Soccer", only player to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), was married for 12 years to Rosemeri Cholbi, with whom he had three children.

In 1994, Pele married religious music singer Assiria scimento, with whom he had twin sons during their 14 years of marriage. IANS