João ‘Didi’ Araújo, Pelé’s Barber Who Shaped the Iconic Quiff, Dies at 87 in Santos

Overview

• Araújo died in the early hours of February 24 after a cardiorespiratory arrest in Santos, according to relatives.
• He had been hospitalized at Beneficência Portuguesa since early February, undergoing intestinal surgery on February 12 and a second intervention about a week later.
• The wake was held at Beneficência Portuguesa, and the body was cremated at Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica in Santos later in the day.
• Santos FC and club legend Pepe issued condolences, recalling Didi’s barbershop by Vila Belmiro and his place in the club’s history.
• Known for creating Pelé’s signature hairstyle and first cutting the star’s hair in 1956, Didi maintained a decades-long friendship with him, and his daughter said his health worsened after Pelé’s 2022 death.