Lifestyle

Step into Pelé’s Opulent 40-Year Haven in the Hamptons

A few days ago, Pelé, the finest football player of all time, passed away. And as it turns out, he had a four-decade-long connection to Hamptons real estate.

Pelé, who was born in Brazil as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was lured to New York by the late tycoon Steve Ross, who was then the chairman of Time Warner. Ross founded the New York Cosmos football club in 1970; five years later, he offered Pelé a contract worth approximately $4.5 million, bringing football to the forefront of American culture.

In addition to being a billionaire football fanatic, Ross was an enthusiastic Hamptonite who, with his wife Courtney Sale Ross, owned the expansive Cody House compound in the prestigious neighbourhood of Georgica. (Cody House was briefly owned by David Geffen later on.)

It seems plausible that Ross hosted Pelé in East Hampton and possibly even encouraged him to purchase a home. And he did. In 1979, the three-time World Cup champion paid only $156,000 for a waterfront home in the Clearwater neighbourhood of Springs, located on the northern shore of East Hampton.

The football star and his two daughters, who predominantly reside in New York City, have used the one-acre property as a summer retreat for nearly four decades. At some point, Pelé increased the size of his 3,400-square-foot home by adding a second story; he also added a pool and an outdoor shower.

With deeded beach and marina privileges, the property has a FEMA rating of X, indicating that it is unlikely to flood. The residence has expansive windows to maximise the view, and the pool also faces the water. There are master bedrooms located both upstairs and downstairs, as well as four additional bedrooms and a total of 7.5 bathrooms. A completed lower level features a spacious media/playroom with a wet bar, an office, ample storage space and a sauna.

Sadly, all wonderful things must eventually end. In 2018, Pelé, then 77 years old and residing in Brazil, sold the property for $2.85 million. However, not everyone can boast that their home was once possessed by the greatest player in football history.