Jeanette Lee facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Nickname(s) | Black Widow | |||||||||||||
| Born | July 9, 1971 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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Jeanette Lee (born Lee Jin-Hee on July 9, 1971, in Brooklyn, New York) is a famous American professional pool player. She is widely known by her exciting nickname, the Black Widow. She earned this name because, even though she seemed sweet, she was very tough at the pool table. She also always wore black when she played.
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Jeanette Lee's Amazing Pool Career
Jeanette Lee started playing pool in 1989. She quickly became very good. She played in local games around New York City. A music producer named Gabe Vigorito noticed her talent. He thought she played like a black widow spider, which led to her famous nickname. He also helped her pay for early tournaments.
Lee soon became the No. 1 female pool player in the world during the 1990s. In 1998, she won the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) Sportsperson of the Year Award. This award recognized her great sportsmanship. She also finished second three times at the World Nine-ball Championships.
Jeanette Lee won many top events on the WPBA Tour. In 2001, she won a gold medal for the United States at the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan. She also won the ladies' Tournament of Champions twice, in 1999 and 2003. This was a special tournament where the winner took home $25,000! Lee also helped write a book called The Black Widow's Guide to Killer Pool.
In 2001, Lee played a special match against another famous player, Efren Reyes, in the Philippines. She lost the match, but it was an exciting event. In 2007, fans voted her as one of their "Top 20 Favorite Players." This showed how popular she was. In 2013, Jeanette Lee was honored by being added to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor in the world of pool.
Life Beyond the Pool Table
Jeanette Lee has also used her fame to help others. She has scoliosis, a condition that affects the spine. Because of this, she strongly supports others who have scoliosis. She is now the national spokesperson for the Scoliosis Association.
Lee has appeared on TV shows too. On Fox Sports Net's Sport Science, she showed off her amazing skills. She managed to sink 12 balls in one incredible trick shot. A custom motorcycle called the Black Widow Bike was even built in her honor. This happened on the TV show American Chopper.
Jeanette Lee's Personal Life
Jeanette Lee lives in Tampa, Florida. She lives there with her three daughters and a foster son. She also has three adult children from her past. Lee was married to George Breedlove, who was also a professional pool player. They married in 1996 but have since separated.
In 2021, Jeanette Lee shared some personal news. She was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. However, in 2022, it was reported that her treatments were successful. Her strength and positive attitude helped her through this tough time.
A documentary about her life, called Jeanette Lee Vs., was released in 2022. It was part of the well-known ESPN series 30 for 30. The film showed her journey and challenges. It was also shown at the 2024 Freep Film Festival.
Jeanette Lee's Titles and Achievements
- 2020 BCA President’s Award
- 2015 Asian Hall of Fame
- 2013 Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
- 2013 WPBA Hall of Fame
- 2013 Four Bears Classic 8-Ball
- 2007 Billiards Digest Sports Most Powerful Person
- 2007 Skins Billiards Championship Scotch Doubles
- 2007 Empress Cup Championship
- 2005 Billiards Digest Sports Most Powerful Person
- 2005 China Invitational Championship
- 2004 Atlanta Women's Open
- 2004 ESPN Ultimate Challenge
- 2004 Mohegan Trick Shot Challenge
- 2004 WPBA Florida Classic Hard Rock Casino
- 2003 Billiards Digest Sports Most Powerful Person
- 2003 Tournament of Champions
- 2001 Billiards Digest Sports Most Powerful Person
- 2001 World Games Nine-ball Singles
- 2001 BCA Open Nine-ball Championship
- 1999 WPBA Southern California Classic
- 1999 WPBA Gentleman Jack Shootout
- 1999 ESPN Ultimate Champions Shootout
- 1999 Tournament of Champions
- 1998 WPBA Sportsperson of the Year
- 1998 Camel 9-Ball Shootout Scotch Doubles - with (Steve Mizerak)
- 1998 ESPN Ultimate 9-Ball Challenge
- 1998 ESPN Ultimate Champions Shootout
- 1998 WPBA Penn Ray Classic
- 1998 WPBA Cuetec Cues Hawaii Classic
- 1997 WPBA Huebler Classic
- 1997 WPBA Olhausen Classic
- 1996 WPBA Charlotte Classic
- 1995 WPBA Olhausen Classic
- 1995 WPBA Brunswick Classic
- 1995 McDermott 9-Ball Bar Table Championship
- 1994 Billiards Digest Player of the Year
- 1994 Mosconi Cup
- 1994 WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1994 WPBA Baltimore Billiards Classic
- 1994 WPBA Kasson Classic
- 1994 WPBA San Francisco Classic
- 1994 WPBA National Championship
- 1994 Connecticut State Championship
- 1993 North East Regional
- 1993 WPBA Connecticut Classic
