Report states: GENE HACKMAN’s will revealed, $80M may be in limbo, legal war likely
According to reports…
Gene Hackman, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s wills have been revealed following their deaths in February 2025, unveiling details of Hackman’s $80 million Hollywood fortune. Hackman, who passed away at 95, designated his entire estate to Betsy, who was named the successor trustee to his trust, raising questions about whether his three children—Christopher Allen, Leslie Anne, and Elizabeth Jean—from his prior marriage to Faye Maltese were included in the inheritance. The lack of clarity regarding the children’s inclusion, combined with their past estrangement from Hackman, has sparked speculation of a potential legal battle over the fortune. Legal experts suggest that had Betsy outlived Hackman, the situation could have escalated into a significant conflict, with one expert noting, “If he died first and she had survived, it would’ve been World War III!”
Betsy Arakawa, who died at 65, outlined in her will that her assets be directed into a trust, with the intention of distributing them to charitable organizations and settling medical debts, though it remains unclear how the estates will ultimately be divided without access to the trust documents. Attorney Julia Peters has been appointed executor of both wills, tasked with navigating the complex estate arrangements. The couple was found deceased in separate rooms of their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, with investigations revealing Arakawa succumbed to a rare rodent-spread virus around February 11, while Hackman likely died of heart disease around February 18. This timeline suggests Hackman may have lived for several days after Arakawa’s death, potentially unaware of her passing due to his Alzheimer’s condition.
Hackman’s relationship with his children was strained, largely due to his intense focus on his Hollywood career, which led to his divorce from Faye Maltese in 1986 and periods of estrangement, particularly with his son Christopher, who he admitted to having “lost touch” with during formative years. While Hackman maintained some contact with daughters Leslie and Elizabeth, often seen with them at public events, he acknowledged the challenges his children faced under the shadow of his success, stating they struggled with having his “success always hanging over their heads.” Betsy played a pivotal role in mending these familial rifts after their 1991 marriage, encouraging Hackman to reconnect with his children and grandchildren at their Santa Fe residence, though reports indicate he still had limited contact with them in his final years, with months passing without seeing Leslie, the child with whom he had the most interaction.
(see more details below)
The investigation into the couple’s deaths has provided further context to their final days, with Hackman’s Alzheimer’s potentially influencing his last actions, as he signed his most recent will in June 2005, long before his diagnosis became public. Betsy’s death from a rare hantavirus and the subsequent discovery of their bodies, alongside one of their three dogs found dead in a crate, highlight the isolation of their reclusive lifestyle in Santa Fe. The disposition of Betsy’s personal belongings, such as furniture, jewelry, and artwork, may be detailed in a separate list, according to her will, adding another layer of complexity to the estate’s distribution. As the legal and familial dynamics unfold, the potential for contention over Hackman’s fortune remains a significant point of interest, underscored by the emotional and logistical challenges of reconciling a fractured family legacy.