Why There’s Uncertainty Over Gene Hackman’s $80 Million Fortune! What Was His Will?
The will of legendary actor Gene Hackman, known for his iconic roles in films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, has sparked some surprising twists after his death. Hackman, who passed away at 95, left behind an estimated $80 million fortune, but the distribution of that wealth is now in question. With his wife, Betsy Arakawa, also found deceased just days before him, Hackman’s three children from his previous marriage could now be in line to inherit his estate—despite not being named in the will.
Hackman’s Will: A Long-Standing Plan for Betsy Arakawa
In his will, Gene named his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa, as the sole beneficiary of his fortune. The will was signed in 1995, with the last update in 2005. Arakawa, 65, was by Hackman’s side throughout his retirement years, and the couple had lived in a luxurious Santa Fe home. However, Arakawa’s sudden death just days before Hackman has created a complex legal situation.
The Mystery of Arakawa’s Death
Betsy Arakawa passed away on February 11, 2025, after contracting a rare virus. he was found dead seven days later, on February 26, due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s contributing to his death. Both deaths were deemed natural, although authorities initially considered the scene suspicious. They were found in separate rooms of their $4 million Santa Fe home after a welfare check was conducted by neighborhood security.
Arakawa was found in the bathroom with pills scattered around her, while Hackman was found in the back of the house, his cane and sunglasses nearby. The news of their deaths was shocking, and the strange timing has led to confusion over who would inherit Hackman’s considerable fortune.
Legal Experts Weigh In: Could Hackman’s Children Inherit?
While will clearly designates his wife as the sole heir, the law may not support this under the current circumstances. According to legal expert Tre Lovell, Hackman’s estate could be subject to California’s intestate succession laws, which dictate that if there’s no clear beneficiary, the estate defaults to the closest living relatives. In this case, that would mean Hackman’s three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58—could inherit his estate, despite not being named in the will.
However, before that happens, Hackman’s children would need to prove that the will is invalid because Arakawa passed away before Hackman. If they succeed in proving that, they could potentially inherit his $80 million fortune.
What About Arakawa’s Will?
Arakawa’s own will, which was discovered after her death, left her assets to him. However, it also included a provision that if she and Hackman passed away within 90 days of each other, her estate would go into a trust and eventually be donated to charity after covering medical expenses. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as it is unclear how Arakawa’s will will be interpreted in light of her untimely death.
The Family’s Reaction: Silence and Heartbreak
Hackman’s children, who have largely stayed out of the public eye throughout their father’s career, have not commented publicly on the situation. However, the family’s love for was evident in a statement following his death. His daughters and granddaughter expressed deep affection for him, saying, “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. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Hackman’s Relationship with His Children
Throughout his career, was open about the difficulties of balancing his fame with family life. In interviews, he acknowledged the challenges of being away from his children for months at a time while pursuing his acting career. “It’s tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity,” he said in one interview. Despite the challenges, his children occasionally joined him at red carpet events and supported him during his career.
Hackman’s comments about his family suggest that while his children may not have been his primary beneficiaries in his will, they still had an important place in his life. The uncertainty over who will inherit his fortune is sure to continue, but for now, the family is grieving the loss of a beloved father and grandfather.
Final Thoughts
Gene Hackman’s passing has left many questions unanswered, particularly when it comes to his $80 million estate. With his wife, Betsy Arakawa, passing away just before him, children may now be in line to inherit his fortune, despite not being mentioned in his will. The legal situation remains complicated, and only time will tell how Hackman’s estate will ultimately be divided. For now, the family is left to mourn the loss of one of Hollywood’s greatest legends.
