The recent passing of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has drawn attention not only to their celebrated lives but also to the importance of estate planning.
More specifically, their deaths highlight the crucial importance of having contingencies laid out in case things don’t go as planned.
As details emerge about their deaths and respective estates, their story serves as a reminder of the crucial role that preparation–and preparing for the unexpected–plays in securing one’s legacy.
Who was Gene Hackman?
Gene Hackman was a Hollywood icon, known for his versatility and commanding screen presence. Over a career spanning five decades, he delivered unforgettable performances in films ranging from crime dramas to comedies. Hackman was the recipient of 40 different nominations and 34 wins throughout his illustrious career. Of these wins, 2 were Oscars awarded at the Academy Awards.
Gene Hackman Movies
Hackman starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, including:
The French Connection (1971) – Academy Award-winning performance as Detective Popeye Doyle
Unforgiven (1992) – Oscar-winning role as the ruthless sheriff Little Bill Daggett
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) – A fan-favorite performance as the eccentric patriarch
A full listing of Hackman’s performances and award nominations and wins can be found on his IMDB.com profile.
An Oscar Winner’s Estate: Gene Hackman Net Worth 2025
By the time of his passing, Gene Hackman had amassed a significant estate, estimated at $80 million. His assets included real estate holdings, investment portfolios, and intellectual property rights from his film career.
Who was Betsy Arakawa?
Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist and businesswoman, was Gene Hackman’s devoted wife of over three decades. The couple shared a quiet life away from Hollywood’s spotlight, residing in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home.
February 26, 2025: Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead in Santa Fe Residence
Authorities reported that Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found deceased in their home on February 26, 2025, alongside their dog, Zinna. E! News reports that two maintenance workers discovered their bodies through a window. They then alerted the caretaker of the gated community who called authorities.
What happened to Gene Hackman and his wife? Piecing Together a Timeline
When the news first broke, headlines likely misled many readers to assume that Hackman, Arakawa, and Zinna had passed away simultaneously or due to the same causes (such as carbon monoxide poisoning.)
However, as details of their deaths were uncovered in days following, an entirely different timeline has been revealed, suggesting tragic twists and turns of events.
It turns out that Hackman and Arakawa passed away nearly one week apart from one another, and for entirely different causes. No foul play has been detected.
Here is the timeline as we understand it so far:
February 9: Betsy Arakawa picks up dog, Zinna, from a local veterinary hospital.
February 11: Arakawa last seen at a pet store before arriving home at 5:15 p.m.
February 12: Arakawa believed to have passed away on this morning after seeking help or advice from a medical center on the phone.
February 18: Gene Hackman’s presumed final day, with his pacemaker recording his final heartbeat.
February 26: Maintenance workers discover Hackman and Arakawa's remains; authorities also discover the remains of their dog Zinna upon entering the home.
Betsy Arakawa Cause of Death
Autopsy reports concluded that Betsy Arakawa passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease.
Arakawa’s death was originally recorded on February 11, but later investigations revealed cell phone activity to and from a nearby medical center on February 12, indicating she likely passed a day later.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza was quoted by ABC News in a statement sharing that these last calls indicate that she may not have been feeling well and was likely seeking medical advice.
She was discovered on the floor of her bathroom, with Zinna's remains closeby.
Gene Hackman Cause of Death: How did he Die?
Nearly a week later, on February 18, Gene Hackman passed away. He was found in a mud-room type entry, with the door slightly ajar. His body was found next to a walking cane and sunglasses, suggesting that he was preparing to go on, or had just returned from, a walk. Investigators determined the date of death to be February 18, the last day his pacemaker recorded any activity.
Hackman was determined to have passed away from advanced heart disease and complications from Alzheimer’s.
Medical experts have weighed in that it's entirely possible that Hackman was not aware that his wife had passed away due to the advanced state of his Alzheimer’s disease.
Zinna: A Tragedy within the Tragedy
Zinfandel, or Zinna for short, was one of Hackman and Arakawa’s three beloved dogs. When investigators entered their residence, they discovered Zinna’s remains in a dog crate near Arakawa’s body.
Based on the timeline that authorities pieced together, Zinna was likely crated for medical reasons. Unfortunately, it was the very reason that Zinna did not have access to food or water following Arakawa’s death. A necropsy report revealed that Zinna likely passed away from dehydration and starvation.
Their other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, who were not crated, were found alive.
Estate Plans Revealed: Details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Wills, Uncovered
Details of wills and other estate planning documents can be revealing of relationship dynamics.
According to different news sources, both Hackman and Arakawa named one another as the primary representatives and sole beneficiaries to their respective estates.
Arakawa, however, included a provision that if they passed away within 90 days of one another, then her assets should go into a charitable trust. People obtained documents where the provision states, “to achieve purposes beneficial to the community, consistent with the charitable preferences and interests expressed or indicated by my spouse and me during our lifetimes."
Were Gene Hackman’s Children Left out of the Estate?
Hackman is survived by three children, whom he shared with his first wife Faye Maltese: Christopher Allen Hackman, 65, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 62, and Leslie Ann Hackman, 58.
Hackman named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary, leaving his three children out of his will. His will was signed in 2005. It appears that the will did not have a contingency in place for the scenario of Hackman and Arakawa passing at the same time.
If Arakawa had been alive, she would have represented her husband’s estate. Luckily, he named a couple of successors. His first successor, attorney Michael G. Sutin, predeceased the couple in 2019. His second successor is Julia L. Peters, who listed Hackman’s three children as his heirs when she filed his will and other court documents.
The outcomes of Hackman’s and Arakawa’s estate settlement processes are yet to be determined. His three children may be awarded inheritance, but this decision will be made by the court system.
Estate Planning Lessons from Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
The passing of Hackman, Arakawa, and Zinna provides a cautionary tale of what it looks like when there is a tragic string of unlikely events.
While both Hackman and Arakawa had estate plans in place, these types of cases can highlight just how crucial it is to plan for the unexpected, and to have multiple contingency plans in place.
Here are some estate planning lessons we can learn from this tragedy:
Outdated Estate Documents: Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, signed their wills in 2005 and did not update them thereafter. This lack of updates may not reflect significant life changes or current intentions, underscoring the importance of regularly reviewing and revising estate plans to align with one’s evolving wishes and circumstances.
Potential for Family Disputes: Hackman’s will named his wife as the sole beneficiary, excluding his three adult children. With both Hackman and Arakawa now deceased, the omission of his children could lead to legal disputes, highlighting the need for clear communication and explicit inclusion or exclusion of heirs to minimize potential conflicts.
Unforeseen Succession Complications: Arakawa predeceased Hackman by several days, and with no alternate beneficiaries specified, the estate’s succession becomes uncertain. This scenario emphasizes the necessity of contingency planning within estate documents to account for unexpected events, ensuring that assets are distributed according to the decedent’s intentions.
Digital Estate Planning: In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to consider digital assets—such as online accounts, digital wallets, and social media profiles—in estate planning. Creating a detailed inventory of these assets, designating a digital executor, and including specific directives in legal documents can prevent complications and ensure that digital legacies are managed according to one’s wishes.
Caregivers Need Care, Too: A Potentially Fatal Mistake
While not specifically pertaining to estate planning, this investigation highlights an important issue: do caregivers have the necessary system of support in place? Tom Allin, a long-time friend and business partner to Hackman, recently shared that Arakawa was extremely protective of her husband. He suggests that she kept him isolated, even though their fortune could have easily afforded them round-the-clock, live-in care. Allin also pointed out that Arakawa’s “absolute” goal of privacy ended up not being helpful at all. While she was determined to do everything herself, this was a mistake that proved fatal.
While society should not be so quick to blame caregivers, it does beg the question of how these tragic events may have had a very different outcome had the couple had a support system in place.
The passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa serves as a powerful reminder of the need for comprehensive estate planning and contingency planning. Ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected—start your estate plan today with Trust & Will.
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