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.