Inside Pelé’s Hamptons home – the waterfront estate the legend owned for nearly 40 years

Brazilian footballing legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known by his nickname Pelé, passed away on December 29th, 2022, in São Paulo. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time – Pelé was a footballing superstar far beyond his South American homeland. 

Described as 'the greatest' by FIFA, he was one of the most successful sports icons of the 20th century. He won his first World Cup at age 17 and later became the Minister of Sports of Brazil, where he worked to reform corruption in state football associations. 

Two of Pelé's daughters reside in New York City, and back in the late 1970s, the soccer star bought one of the world's best homes in the prestigious East End neighborhood of East Hampton, New York. Pelé used the 3,400-square-foot home as a summer retreat, though in recent years, after his health declined, he moved permanently back to Brazil, where he founded the Pelé Foundation – a charity that aims to empower impoverished and disenfranchized children worldwide.

The soccer player sold the home in the last years of his life, but he briefly listed it for rent at $45,000 per month before the final sale.

The modern home comprises six bedrooms and seven bathrooms – all of which follow the primary white scheme. These neutral color ideas are especially evident in the home's double-height living space that features an open-plan dining area overlooking the water. 

Leading from the living and dining space is a newly renovated chef’s kitchen with expansive windows that slide open to the terrace. The area exhibits modern kitchen ideas through its sleek white color scheme (as exhibited throughout the rest of the home) and its gray marble countertops that create a subtle contrast against the walls and cabinetry. 

Beyond the main living space, a lower-level living area with an office and media room offers additional entertaining spaces. There is also a detached garage for storing your watersport and garden accessories that can be used on Maidstone Park Beach, located only one mile away.

Located on the fringe of the esteemed Clearwater Beach district, the home is a rare coastal jewel – sitting amid (approximately) one landscaped acre around Clearwater Beach and its marina. The property has a pool, an outdoor shower, and private access to the shore. 

After selling this Hamptons home, Pelé spent much of his time in his mansion in the beachfront city of Guarujá (on the coast of São Paulo). He also owned a property in Santos, a coastal city in southern Brazil.

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group, who held the listing.