Jeanette Lee is a professional pool player with an estimated net worth of $7 Million.
She was born on July 9, 1971, in Brooklyn, New York, and is an American of Korean descent.
Jeanette began playing pool at the age of six. She is known for her smooth, fluid stroke and has been named the “Black Widow” because of her tendency to defeat her male opponents.
Lee’s success on the billiards circuit helped to raise her profile and she became a well-known figure in the world of sports. She appeared on television and in magazines, and her unique playing style and outgoing personality helped to make her a fan favorite.
She remained a top player throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and her success has helped her to be one of the richest pool players of all time.
One of the most influential women in the world, Jeanette Lee is considered one of the greatest billiards players ever and has been inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame and the Women’s Professional Billiard Association Hall of Fame.
Jeanette Lee Has A Mesmerizing Career
Jeanette Lee started career when she was 18 years old. She quickly made a name for herself in the world of professional pool.
In 1994, she won the Women’s World Nine-Ball Championship. This victory established her as one of the top female pool players in the world.
Lee continued to compete in major pool tournaments throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Lee was the runner-up of the World Nine-Ball Championship three times throughout her career. She was the runner-up in the 1995 US Open Nine-ball Championship, where she lost to Allison Fisher in the final.
In that match, Fisher emerged victorious, defeating Lee by a score of 11-6 to win the tournament. She met Allison Fisher and again lost to her in the 1998 World Nine-Ball championship.
In 1999, she won the US Open Nine-Ball Championship. This victory cemented her reputation as one of the best female pool players in the world.
She won the $25,000 winner-take-it-all Tournament championship twice, once in 1999 and the other in 2003.
She dominated the 90s and was the #1 Ranked Female Pool Player of all time during the decade. In addition to her success in major tournaments, Lee has also been a successful pool commentator and television personality.
After retiring from the professional sport of pool in 2012, Lee has continued to be involved in the sport through coaching and commentary.
Jeanette Lee Outside Pool
Jeanette Lee has also made herself known outside her 9Ball career.
Lee has also appeared in several TV programs and shows, such as the HBO series “Arliss” and the CBS series “Early Edition” including ESPN’s “The Superstars” and “The Price is Right”.
She has also appeared in commercials for other products and services, such as clothing and credit cards.
On March 30, 2008, Lee appeared on Fox Sports Net’s Sport Science and pocketed 12 balls in one trick shot. Lee’s memorable on-screen presence and her “Black Widow” nickname have made her a popular choice for commercial appearances.
At the DOC NYC Film festival on November 12, 2022, Jeanette Lee premiered a documentary based on her life called “Jeanette Lee Vs.” directed by herself and Ursula Liang focusing more on her life outside the game and her battle with cancer. The film was part of the ESPN 30 for 30 series and had its television debut on December 13 of the same year.
Jeanette Lee has written a book about her experience as a professional pool player, titled “The Black Widow’s Guide to Killer Pool: Become the Player to Beat:” which was published in 2000. She is a New York Times bestselling author and motivational speaker.
She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the area of ovarian cancer awareness. She has worked with organizations such as the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance to raise awareness and funds for research into the disease.
Jeanette Lee Achievements and Honors
Jeanette Lee has won numerous honors and awards as a professional pool player.
Some of her most notable achievements include:
- Winning the Women’s World Nine-Ball Championship in 1993, which laid her reputation as one of the best female pool players in the world
- Winning the US Open Nine-Ball Championship in 1999 which established her as one of the top female pool players in the world
- Being inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2012, which is a prestigious honor that recognizes her contributions to the sport of pool
- Being named “Player of the Year” by Billiards Digest in 1994, which is one of the highest honors a pool player can receive
- Winning the Gold Medal for the USA at the 2001 World Games
- Being ranked #4 in Pool & Billiards Magazine’s Fans Player of the Year
- Being ranked one of the Most Powerful People in Sports in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007
- Winning the 2005 Empress Cup Championship
- Winning the 2007 World Team Cup Championship
- Winning the 2013 Four Bears Classic 8-Ball
In addition to these awards, Lee has also been recognized for her accomplishments as a professional pool player by many organizations and publications within the pool community. She continues to be a prominent figure in the world of professional pool and is known for her skill and determination on and off the pool table.
Jeanette Lee Battle with Scoliosis and Cancer
Jeanette Lee was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine is curved, at age 13.
Despite the challenges posed by her condition, she went on to become one of the most successful professional pool players in the world.
The condition progressed over time and on January 2022, Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. This disease ravaged her body so brutally, friends and family were fearful she had just months to live.
Lee has been very open about her battle with cancer and has used her platform to raise awareness about the disease and help others facing similar challenges.
She has undergone chemotherapy and other treatments in an effort to fight the disease and has received support from her family, friends, and fans.
Despite her challenges, Lee remains a strong and determined individual and continues to inspire others with her courage and resilience.
Jeanette Lee Franchise and Endorsements
While most of Lee’s riches accumulated through her winnings on the pool table. Her rise to fame has helped her achieve more through endorsements and deals.
Lee has inked sponsorship deals with Rocawear and a 7-year deal with Bass Pro Shops making her one of the highest female pool players.
Furthermore, her appearances on American Chopper, Crook & Chase, Good Morning America, and Arli$$ were an amount she couldn’t refuse. Jeanette Lee’s agent Tom George stated that Lee earned $800,000 in 2008 through appearances and deals, with only $25000 coming from tournament winnings.
Jeanette is also a proud owner of the American Pool Players Association located in Tampa, which primarily hosts leagues in local bars.
She also earns a hefty fee from sponsor deals that pay her a hefty amount to promote their products on her Social Media which has a total of 200K followers on all platforms altogether.
Moreover, she was a big part of the Garry Marshall-directed movie “The Other Sister” filmed by Walt Disney. Her accomplishments throughout her career have amassed her a total net worth of $7 Million as per our sources.