Jean Grey was born to John and Elaine Grey. Her mutant abilities of telekinesis and telepathy manifested when she was a young girl, much to the concern of her parents. They invited Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr to their home in order to discuss what they should do about Jean's newfound status as a mutant. Charles suggested that he and Erik speak to Jean in private instead.
After being called by her mother, Jean came downstairs to meet with Charles and Erik. She immediately tried to read the thoughts of the two men with her powers, but was telepathically informed by Charles that it was rude to probe their minds without permission. Charles and Erik explained to Jean that she was a mutant like them, a claim that the young girl doubted. In a display of power, Jean used her telekinesis to make the cars in her neighborhood hover in the air, as well as a neighbor's lawnmower and a stream of water coming out of a hosepipe. While Erik was impressed by Jean's power, Charles instead asked her whether she will be able to control the power, or let it control her.
Jean was enrolled at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, where Charles recognized her limitless potential as a class five mutant. However, because most of Jean's power was tied to her unconscious mind, Charles decided to create a series of psychic barriers to isolate them from her conscious mind. This resulted in Jean developing a dual personality, which called itself the "Phoenix" in her sessions with Charles. The Phoenix was a purely instinctual being, comprised of Jean's deepest desires, joy and rage. It was unclear how much Jean was aware of the Phoenix, but for most of her life, the dual personality remained dorman.
Along with Scott Summers and Ororo Munroe, Jean was taught by Charles to control her powers. The three of them went on to become the X-Men, a team formed by Charles to protect the world from threats posed by dangerous mutants. Jean became romantically involved with Scott that didnt work out and eventually went on to become a medical doctor.
