After retiring from football in1977, Pele concentrated on using his fame to work for causes he believed in, ranging from world peace to international children's rights and poverty alleviation.
In 1994 Pele was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.a role that recognizes people that wield incredible influence to contribute to world peace and security by promoting international collaboration.
In 1995 Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed Pele to the position of Extraordinary Minister for Sport.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth Il in 1997. and is there by allowed to style his name with the prefix KBE, or Knight of the British Empire.
In 2010. Pele returned to theU.S. to become the honorary president of the New York Cosmos.
For all his humanitarian workaround the world， UNESCO awarded Pele with the 'Children in Need' Award in 2012
The same year he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Edinburgh in recognition of his lifetime achievements