The late Gene Hackman’s will has been unveiled, revealing that the legendary actor left his entire fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa. However, a major twist in the legal documents could significantly alter the final distribution of his estimated $80 million estate.
Hackman, a two-time Oscar-winning actor, drafted his will in 1995, naming Betsy Arakawa as his sole beneficiary. His three children—Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth—were not included in the will, meaning they were set to inherit nothing directly. However, since Hackman and Arakawa passed away within a short timeframe, the fate of the estate is now uncertain.
Gene Hackman and Wife
Documents reveal that Arakawa had a key provision in her will: if she and Hackman died within 90 days of each other, their assets would be treated as if they passed away simultaneously. In this case, her estate would go to charity. Since she died just one week before Hackman, this clause may now take effect, diverting a significant portion of their wealth away from their family.
Despite being excluded from Hackman’s will, his children remain his direct heirs under inheritance laws. Christopher Hackman has reportedly hired prominent California trust and estate attorney Andrew M. Katzenstein, signaling a potential legal challenge. Given the complexities of community property laws in New Mexico, where the couple lived, Hackman’s children may have grounds to contest the estate’s final distribution.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa House in Santa Fe, N.M.
Arakawa tragically passed away due to hantavirus, a rare and often fatal disease linked to rodent exposure. Hackman, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease, died about a week later from cardiovascular complications. Authorities believe he may not have been aware of his wife’s passing, as their bodies were discovered more than a week after their deaths. The estate’s legal team has since filed paperwork requesting a court order to block the release of crime scene photos and police bodycam footage.
Gene Hackman in Unforgiven (1992)
As the legal battle over Gene Hackman’s fortune unfolds, all eyes are on the court’s decision regarding the validity of the wills. If the simultaneous death provision in Arakawa’s will is upheld, millions could be donated to charity rather than inherited by Hackman’s children.
However, if the will is contested successfully, Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth Hackman may still receive a portion of their father’s legacy. Given Hackman’s complicated history with his children—he had been estranged for years but reconnected in his later life—the outcome of this estate battle will be closely watched.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as new legal proceedings emerge.
