If you’re a soccer fan, chances are you’ve heard of Pele. He was a Brazilian football player who played forward for famous clubs such as Santos and New York Cosmos. Pele dazzled everyone when he hit the field.
He displayed unmatched speed, incredible accuracy, and amazing goal-scoring skills. That’s why many people consider him one of the best players to ever grace the football field. Plus, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.
Even though fans followed Pele’s career closely, his personal life remained a mystery to many. For instance, most soccer enthusiasts didn’t know that he had a wife, Marcia Aoki.
They were married for almost seven years, and she was a major supporter of his career. So, if you’d like to learn more about Marcia Aoki, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Brazilian entrepreneur.
Marcia Aoki Profile Summary
Full Name | Marcia Cibele Aoki |
Gender | Female |
Place of Birth | Penápolis São Paulo, Brazil |
Date of Birth | March 22nd, 1966 |
Zodiac Sign | Aries |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Ethnicity | Japanese Brazilian |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Brown |
Height | 5’4” (1.62 m) |
Parents | Isaura Aoki and Paulo Aoki |
Siblings | Carlos Alberto Aoki |
Net Worth | $500,000 to $4 million |
Marcia Aoki Overview
Marcia Aoki is a Brazilian entrepreneur who spent most of her life away from the spotlight. Yet, this wouldn’t last for long. She began a relationship with the famous footballer Pele in 2010.
By 2016, the couple decided to tie the knot. This turned Aoki’s quiet life into a massive public spectacle. Everyone in the soccer world wanted to get to know Marcia and how she managed to land Pele.
So, news platforms all over the globe started following her every move. Soon after, the excitement surrounding Aoki died down and she could live out her happy life with Pele in peace. However, this exciting, passionate romance would come to a tragic end with the death of the famous footballer.
Unfortunately, Pele passed away in 2022 due to multiple organ failure as a result of a long, difficult battle with colon cancer. This came as a shocking blow to many of his fans. Plus, they wanted to check in on his wife and make sure she was doing alright.
So, Aoki made headlines again in 2022 as newspapers followed her grieving process and her plans for a future without Pele. This brought a lot of information about Marcia out into the light, and she garnered the love and respect of many of Pele’s fans.
People realized that she’s an extraordinary woman with a lot to offer. Aoki has a thriving career, a loving family, and the admiration of millions. To help you understand how this all came about, let’s dive into her history.
Marcia Aoki’s Early Life
In order to understand Marcia, you have to know where she comes from. Aoki was born on the 22nd of March, 1966, in Penápolis, São Paulo, Brazil. Her parents, Paulo and Isaura Aoki, were Japanese immigrants who had just recently moved to South America.
Marcia’s dad was a pediatrician, while her mom was a successful entrepreneur. This meant that both parents led busy lives, but that didn’t mean the family was lacking in love and support. Paulo and Isaura worked tirelessly to provide for Marcia and her brother, Carlos. Plus, they made sure they had access to the best education possible.
So, Marica attended her local high school until she graduated and left for college. During her time as a student, she demonstrated exceptional discipline and dedication. This is probably a result of her strict upbringing. Plus, after her graduation, Marica was able to use her degree to start a medical supplies business.
She would then go on to expand her company and become an incredibly successful entrepreneur in her own right.
Marcia Aoki and Pele’s Relationship
Marcia’s marriage to Pele in 2016 is arguably the most high-profile event of her life. Yet, their relationship started much earlier than that.
Back in the 1980s, Marcia ran into Pele at a New York party and rumors started circulating about a secret romance. This was quite scandalous at the time since the football player was still married to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi.
However, nothing much came of the whispers and the public lost interest in the connection between Aoki and Pele. A couple of years after that, the footballer split from his then-wife Rosemeri.
Although Pele was a free agent, he didn’t reunite with Marcia until 2008. The couple began building a friendship, but there was love in the air.
By 2010, the platonic relationship had turned into a fiery, passionate romance. Even though there was a 26-year age gap, the couple seemed to click on every level. So, they moved in together and embarked on a new journey.
This would continue until 2016, when Pele and Aoki decided to tie the knot. Sadly, the relationship came to an end with Pele’s passing in 2022.
Marcia Aoki’s Career
Marcia has always been a driven person ever since she was a kid. Whenever she set her eyesight on any goal, she’d pursue it until she achieved her aims. This is incredibly apparent in her professional life.
Soon after she graduated from university, Aoki launched her own business in the medical supplies sector. Her company specializes in importing and distributing high-end surgical equipment.
At first, the business was small and only dealt with a few clients. Yet, within a few years, the company was booming. Today, Marcia supplies some of the most notable private and public healthcare establishments with cutting-edge medical equipment.
Wrapping Up
Marcia Aoki is best known as the wife of Pele. The couple met in the 1980s, but it took them a couple of decades before they tied the knot. Plus, they remained married until Pele passed away in 2022.
Even though Marica’s public image is overshadowed by her relationship with Pele, she’s an established businesswoman in her own right. She has an importing and distribution business that supplies medical establishments with equipment.