Betty Ann Kennedy (March 13, 1930 – October 30, 2016) was an American bridge player from Shreveport, Louisiana.[1][2] She won five world championships, including four from 1974 to 1984 in partnership with Carol Sanders of Tennessee and the 2003 Venice Cup.[3] Analyst Eric Kokish wrote concerning the 2003 final match that "Kennedy was a standout, doing virtually nothing wrong."[1]
She studied bridge on her doctor's recommendation when she suffered from encephalitis and consequent depression.[4] Sanders and Kennedy were known as "the Southern Belles" or simply "The Belles".[4] They compiled 10 NABC wins and 8 runners-up together.[5]
In 1993 Kennedy became the second woman to receive the Louisiana Hall of Fame Award.[1][6] She was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame in 2005.[7] She received the ACBL's annual sportsmanship award in 2011.[8]
Kennedy and her husband Jack, another bridge player, had four children.[1] She died in Shreveport on October 30, 2016, at the age of 86 after a fall.[9]