The Hollywood legend and classical pianist had been married for 34 years
As police confirm the tragic news actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their New Mexico home, we take a look at everything we know so far.
Double Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, former Japanese actress and producer, Betsy Arakawa, 63, had spent 34 years together, living an intensely private life. After Hackman’s retirement from Hollywood in 1990, the couple relocated to the tranquil surroundings of Santa Fe, where Hackman shifted focus to a career as a writer.
Tragically, on Wednesday, February 26, the couple and their beloved pet dog were found deceased at their home on Sunset Trail. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the discovery, stating, “At this time, we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, awaiting approval for a search warrant.”
The Santa Fe Police Department does not suspect foul play in the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, but an investigation is ongoing. The cause and time of death have not yet been determined.
Hackman and Arakawa’s last public outing took place on March 28, 2024, when they were seen enjoying a dinner date at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. The iconic actor, known for his unforgettable roles in Superman, Unforgiven, and The French Connection, was photographed walking with the support of a cane while holding onto his wife’s arm.
Hackman had recently undergone surgery for angina, which may have contributed to his health challenges in recent months.
After an illustrious career spanning six decades, Gene Hackman retired from the entertainment industry in 2004 at the age of 74. His final film roles were in Runaway Jury and Welcome to Mooseport.
Following his retirement, Hackman revealed that health concerns played a significant role in his decision to step away from the spotlight and embrace a slower pace of life. Reflecting on the turning point, he shared in a 2009 interview with Empire: “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape I should be putting it under any stress.”
Hackman had previously undergone angioplasty surgery to address blocked arteries, a procedure that involves inserting a balloon to widen the vessels.
Despite his incredible career, Hackman humbly expressed that he simply hoped to be remembered as “a decent actor.”
In a 2011 interview with GQ, Gene Hackman, then 81, reflected on how he hoped to be remembered.
“As a decent actor,” he began, adding, “As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion.”
He went on to say, “I don’t know, beyond that. I don’t think about that often, to be honest. I’m at an age where I should think about it.”
Hackman had been married once before, to Faye Maltese. The couple, who shared three children—son Christopher Allen and daughters Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Jean—were together for 30 years before divorcing in 1986.
Gene Hackman had been open about the complexities of his relationship with his children. In a 2000 interview with The Irish Independent, he admitted, “I couldn’t always be home with them when they were growing up, and then, living in California, they’ve had my success always hanging over their heads.”
In his 2011 GQ interview, Hackman provided further insight into his dynamic with his son, Christopher. When asked what advice he would give his son, he candidly shared, “I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on. Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at an age where he needed support and guidance.”
He added, “It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around.”
Despite the challenges in his relationship with his children, Hackman’s marriage to Betsy Arakawa was a pillar of stability in his later years. Their 34-year union was marked by shared quiet moments and mutual respect, contrasting with the demands of his earlier life in the public eye.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa began their relationship in the mid-1980s after meeting at a gym where she worked part-time. Despite their 32-year age difference, their bond grew stronger over time.
In an effort to clear up any misconceptions, Hackman addressed the situation with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, specifically regarding rumors that his relationship with Arakawa overlapped with his marriage to his first wife.
Unlike his character, Harry Mackenzie, in the 1985 film Twice in a Lifetime, Hackman made it clear: “By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman.”
He continued, “We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”
