Jeanette Lee

Jeanette Lee, known throughout the world as "The Black Widow," has enjoyed one of the most illustrious careers in billiards history. Repeatedly recognized by Billiards Digest as one of the sport's most powerful people, Lee has claimed more than 30 national and international titles. Formerly ranked as the #1 player in the world, she was named the "WPBA Sportsperson of the Year" in 1998 and has earned Player of the Year honors from both Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards Magazine. In 2001, Jeanette was the Gold medalist for the United States at the World Games and has also captured Silver twice at the World Championships during her 14-year professional career. In 2004, Jeanette won the World Trick Shot Championships and BCA Open. In 2005 Jeanette won the China Invitational and more recently in 2007 won the World Team Cup, Empress Cup, and the International Skins Billiard Championship with her doubles partner and husband, George Breedlove.

Born on July 9, 1971, Jeanette was raised in Brooklyn, NY. At the age of thirteen, Jeanette was diagnosed with scoliosis, a disorder in which there is a curve, often S-shaped or C-shaped, of the spine or backbone. To alleviate the progression of the debilitating condition, Jeanette underwent scoliosis surgery. The surgical procedure involved techniques to fuse or join the vertebrae along the curve of her spine. Metal rods and other instrumentation were attached to her spine in order to hold her vertebrae together during the months after her surgery while the bones in her spine eventually fused together. Such instrumentation was left in her body where they remain today. Scoliosis surgery is one of the longest and most complicated orthopedic surgical procedures performed on children due to the long operation time and hospitalization for recovery. Her surgery at the time was thought to be a success, but Jeanette's affliction with scoliosis was not yet at an end.

As an adolescent, Jeanette Lee excelled in scholastics and was accepted into the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. Jeanette expected to attend college and pursue a more conventional career after graduating high school. She completed two years of college while pursuing a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education. However, around this time period in her young life, Jeanette discovered the game of pool, a discovery that would change the course of her life. Jeanette immersed herself in all facets of the game and began to practice pool incessantly; practicing up to ten hours a day. Additionally, Jeanette began studying literature on the game and even befriended "old-time" pool professionals.

During this time of her billiards immersion, Jeanette suffered immensely from pain caused by the steel rods implanted in her back. Her intense pursuit to perfect her new passion consequently aggravated her spinal condition. Regardless, Jeanette relentlessly continued to exert herself physically and mentally. According to one account, she played pool consecutively for thirty-seven hours, to the point of unbearable pain, physical exhaustion, and literally had to be lifted and carried back home by her friends.

In 1993, Jeanette's hard work and unrelenting pursuit of excellence in the game of pool resulted in her professional debut at the age of 21. She turned pro as a full-time member of the Women's Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) only three years after picking up the sport at age18. In only her first year as a pro, Lee rocketed into the ranks of the top ten in the WPBA. Less than two years later, at the age of 23, Lee was ranked the number one women's professional pool player in the world.

Jeanette Lee entered the professional pool world with fury. Her reputation grew to legendary proportions as the world came to know her as "The Black Widow," a persona Lee acquired through her ability to overwhelm, almost devour, her opponents in combination with exclusively wearing black attire during tournaments.

Lee's first victory came in 1994 at the Baltimore Billiard Classic, the debut event of the WPBA season. Lee followed up her first professional title with another win at the tour's next event, the Kasson Twin Cities Classic, and went on to claim two more titles at the BCA San Francisco Classic and U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. She capped off her sophomore season with a win at the Connelly WPBA National Championships in the tour finale for five victories and was named "Player of the Year" by Billiards Digest.

Lee's success continued in 1995 as she captured titles at the Olhausen Los Angeles Classic and the Brunswick New York Classic, and was nominated by the WPBA for the "Sports Person of the Year" award; a nomination she would receive again in 1997, before winning the award in 1998. Jeanette would claim three more tour stops during the next two seasons, winning the BCA Charlotte Classic in 1996 and posting back-to-back victories at the Hubler Cues Nashville Classic and the Olhausen San Diego Classic in 1997. Lee's spectacular performance in 1997 earned her "Player of the Year" honors by Pool & Billiards Magazine.

In 1998, Jeanette would post three more victories en route to being named the "WPBA Sportsperson of the Year." She claimed another trio of wins during the 1999 season, including the Tournament of Champions. In 2001, Lee not only won the BCA Open Championship, but also took home the Gold medal for the United States at the 2001 World Games. Lee claimed the Tournament of Champions again in 2003 and added two more titles in 2004, with wins at the Cuetec Cues Florida Classic and the Women's Trick Shot Magic World Championship.

Yet, throughout Jeanette's flourishing career and unprecedented success, she suffered from chronic pain, which stemmed from her scoliosis. By August 2005, Jeanette had undergone a total of nine surgeries to the back, neck, and shoulder. In spite of her medical challenges, Lee continues to achieve in the game of pool and other ventures outside of the pro billiards tour. She is celebrated as an inspiring leader and has served as the National Spokesperson for The Scoliosis Association, Inc. for the last decade. She also serves as a trustee or the Women's Sports Foundation.

Lee's beautiful and deadly game, underscored through her nickname "The Black Widow," has attracted attention away from the pool table as well. She has been featured on ESPN's list of Sexiest Female Athletes in the World, in Esquire's Ten Women We Love and among Aloette Cosmetics Dozen Most Attractive Women Athletes. Jeanette has made television appearances on Arli$$, Best Damn Sports Show Period, Entertainment Tonight, Extra!, Hard Copy, HBO Real Sports, Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Today, The Late Show with David Letterman and Live with Regis & Kelly. She was also featured in an ESPN SportsCenter commercial and made a cameo appearance in the Walt Disney Picture The Other Sister.

The combination of Lee's pool prowess, engaging personality, beauty and mystique has led to Lee's renowned reputation as the most famous pool player of her generation. She is unmistakably a fan favorite and continues to dazzles audiences with her pool artistry and arsenal of trick shots. Golf Digest proclaims Lee "an absolute show stopper," noting that "she was the star at our U.S. Open party filled with Donald Trump, Carson Daly and other celebrities."