Gene Hackman's Will: The Unexpected Twist After His and Wife's Deaths

The two-time Academy Award-winning actor had left his entire estate to his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa. However, both Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their New Mexico home last month under tragic circumstances.

Who Will Inherit Hackman’s Fortune?

Legal experts now suggest that Hackman’s three children—Christopher (65), Elizabeth (62), and Leslie (58)—could inherit the fortune, despite not being explicitly mentioned in the will.

This is due to authorities determining that Arakawa passed away seven days before Hackman, which could trigger succession laws in favor of his children.

Legal documents obtained by the BBC reveal that Hackman named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary in 1995, with the last amendment made in 2005. However, since she predeceased him, legal expert Tre Lovell explained that his estate might default to his children under intestate succession laws.

"The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws, and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit," Lovell told the BBC.

For this to happen, Hackman’s children may need to challenge the will in court and prove its invalidity due to the order of deaths.

Details Surrounding Their Deaths

Authorities confirm that Arakawa died on February 11 after contracting a rare virus, while Hackman passed away seven days later from natural causes.

Their $4 million (KSh 520 million) Santa Fe home became a scene of tragedy when neighborhood security conducted a welfare check on February 26, spotting their bodies through a window.

Reports state that Arakawa was found in the bathroom with pills scattered nearby, while Hackman was found in the back of the house, wearing sweatpants and slippers, with his cane and sunglasses beside him.

Medical officials later confirmed that Hackman’s cause of death was severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s listed as a contributing factor.

Though authorities initially found the scene “suspicious,” investigations ruled out foul play.

What Happens to Arakawa’s Estate?

Arakawa’s own will had left her assets to Hackman, with a provision stating that if they died within 90 days of each other, her estate would go to a trust and later be donated to charity after covering any medical expenses.

Hackman’s Relationship With His Children

Hackman had openly admitted in past interviews that his acting career strained his relationship with his children.

In a 1989 interview with The New York Times, he reflected:

"You become very selfish as an actor. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations—the money and recognition—were too much for the poor boy in me."

Despite keeping a low public profile, Hackman’s children occasionally joined him at red carpet events.

In a 2000 interview with The Irish Independent, he discussed the pressure his success placed on his children:

"It's tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity. I couldn't always be home with them when they were growing up, and living in California, they've had my success always hanging over their heads."

A Family’s Final Tribute

Following Hackman’s passing, his daughters and granddaughter released a heartfelt statement:

"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa," they wrote. "We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.