Gene Hackman amassed a fortune of $80 million throughout his legendary Hollywood career. But with his tragic passing, questions loom: how will his vast wealth be divided?
The week-long gap between the deaths of the Oscar-winning actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, could change everything — according to Daily Mail.
How they died could prove crucial
Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home in late February after an individual, who identified himself as a caretaker, called 911.
Later, it was revealed that Betsy Arakawa passed away on February 11 after contracting a rare virus transmitted by mice. Meanwhile, her husband, Gene Hackman, who had been battling Alzheimer’s disease, likely died on February 18 from heart disease.
Arakawa was found in a bathroom alongside one of the couple’s three dogs, which was also discovered dead in its crate. In a statement to People Magazine, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter, Annie, said they were “devastated by the loss.”
The details surrounding the couple’s deaths have remained mysterious since the news first broke, but authorities have been thorough in their investigation to uncover the truth. Several theories made their way to the newspapers, and the actor’s daughter, Leslie, told the Daily Mail that there was “no indication that there was any problem” with her father before his passing.
“Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” Leslie said, adding that her father hadn’t undergone any major surgeries in the last few months. “He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.”
Despite this, Leslie and her family admitted that his death wasn’t “terribly shocking” because of his age. She added that she hadn’t seen him in a “few months” as she lived in California. Even though they were close, they hadn’t spoken for quite a while.
Understanding exactly how Gene and Betsy died could prove crucial, not only for providing their loved ones with clarity but also for legal reasons. These findings could have a major impact on the distribution of their $80 million fortune, including their $3.8 million home in Santa Fe.
Inside the key details
Hackman’s children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie — could be directly impacted by how the estate is distributed. Meanwhile, Arakawa, a pianist from Hawaii, had no children of her own.
Hackman’s extensive career in film helped him amass a substantial fortune.
By 2024, his net worth was estimated at $80 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. One of his most financially rewarding projects was his role in the 1978 film Superman, where he starred alongside Christopher Reeve, earning a hefty $2 million for his performance.
The timing of their deaths is crucial, as New Mexico law dictates that if two people die within 120 hours of each other, their deaths would be considered “simultaneous.” This could further influence the distribution of Hackman’s estate, as reported by Daily Mail.
Gene and Betsy chose to settle in Santa Fe in the late 1980s, drawn to the “magic” of the area. “It’s totally different from my other houses,” Hackman told Architectural Digest in 1990. “The Montecito house was very formal.”
The property, which spans 12 acres, is now valued at an estimated $3.8 million.
The way Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s estates are divided could be influenced by some key details that have emerged since their deaths. While investigators found Hackman survived for seven days after Arakawa’s passing, meaning he likely didn’t meet the “simultaneous death” criteria under New Mexico law, experts suggest the way their estates are split could still be affected.
Kevin Holmes, a lawyer at Holmes Law Firm, told Daily Mail that most states, including New Mexico, have a “presumptive triggering deadline” of five days, meaning if a person survives beyond that, they’re considered to have outlived their spouse in the eyes of the law.
Despite that, it’s likely Hackman and Arakawa had a will or trust in place given their wealth and access to legal counsel. These legal documents could contain different provisions for simultaneous death than those outlined by New Mexico’s 120-hour law.
Another factor could complicate things
Often, married couples leave their entire estate to each other, but since estate plans are private, it’s not yet known who Hackman and Arakawa named as beneficiaries. Most people typically name their spouse and children, but it’s also common to include other loved ones, caretakers, or even charitable causes.
“It’s your money,” says attorney John Budagher. “You can give it to whomever you want, even a donkey sanctuary in Connecticut.”
Another factor that could complicate things is the timing of any recent updates to Hackman’s will or legal documents. Given his battle with Alzheimer’s, any changes made shortly before his death could be questioned.
There are also several unknowns that could impact how Hackman and Arakawa’s estates are divided. For instance, it’s unclear if the couple had any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, or if any children or other potential beneficiaries might challenge the estate.
While some movement is expected in the coming days, the entire process could drag on. In New Mexico, family members and other interested parties have up to three years after someone’s death to file a probate case, meaning the final resolution could take much longer than anticipated.
So as more details emerge, the future of Hackman and Arakawa’s $80 million fortune could become a lot more complicated.
