Celeste Arantes, known affectionately as Dona Celeste, the mother of Brazilian football icon Pele, passed away at the age of 101. She gave birth to Pele, the most decorated World Cup star of all time, in 1940. Pele himself passed away from organ failure caused by colon cancer in December 2022, just one month after his mother celebrated her 100th birthday.
Heartfelt Farewell
During Pele’s funeral procession, his casket was carried past Celeste’s house on its way to the cemetery. However, due to her condition, she was not able to fully comprehend the event. Maria Lucia do Nascimento, Pele’s last surviving sibling, revealed in an interview that their centenarian mother wasn’t lucid enough to understand the death of her son, who remains the only player to win three World Cups.
“We talk but she doesn’t know the situation. She’s in her own world,” Maria said at the time. Celeste referred to Pele by his childhood nickname, Dico. Maria added, “She opens her eyes when I mention his name and say, ‘We’re going to pray for him,’ but she’s not really conscious of what I’m saying.”
A Tribute to a Queen-Mother
Eighteen months after Pele’s death, a post from the official Pele Instagram account paid tribute to Celeste following news of her passing. The Pele Foundation honored her with a heartfelt message: “Behind every idol we know is a mother who provides all the necessary support to achieve our dreams.” The tribute referred to Celeste as the “queen-mother,” reflecting the high regard in which she was held.
“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Pele’s mother, Dona Celeste,” read the homage. “A role model as a mother, she instilled humanitarian values that Edson (Pele) spread and defended throughout his journey. Today’s feelings are mixed. We deeply mourn the departure of ‘Celestinha’, as her son affectionately called her. At the same time, we are eternally grateful for her existence.”
The End of an Era
Celeste spent eight days in the hospital prior to her death. Her passing has been dubbed the “end of an era” by some in Brazil’s media. The legacy of Pele will live on for generations to come, thanks to his monumental contributions to football, with his mother’s celebrated influence being an integral part of his journey.