Betsy was a classically trained pianist, and had an eye for architecture as she designed her forever home with acres of land alongside Gene (Image: Getty Images)
In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their New Mexico home, with their beloved pet dog by their side. Santa Fe police confirmed the tragic discovery.
At the age of 95, the esteemed actor passed away alongside his much younger spouse, Betsy, who was only 63. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has ruled out foul play but refrained from providing specifics on the time or cause of death, as reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Sheriff Mendoza stated, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor,” adding, “I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
Although the precise circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths remain undisclosed in the ongoing “preliminary death investigation,” it was evident that Betsy and Gene shared a profound bond throughout the years leading up to their untimely demise.
Having retired from the silver screen in 2008, Hackman had largely stayed out of the public eye, save for occasional sightings in New Mexico where he and Betsy enjoyed dining out and partaking in local cultural events, reports .
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa spotted out and about in 2001 (Image: Getty)
Betsy was the second Mrs. Hackman, following Gene’s first marriage to Faye Maltese in 1956. Gene and Faye had three children together before their divorce in 1986.
Amidst whispers of a scandalous beginning to their relationship, Gene made it clear that tales of him leaving his first wife for a much younger woman are misplaced.
“By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. 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,” he clarified, as reported by People magazine.
Actor Gene was first married in 1956 and shared three children with his ex-wife, before meeting Betsy while she worked at a gym in California (Image: Getty Images)
Born under Hawaiian skies in 1961, Betsy’s encounter with Gene was as serendipitous as it gets, meeting him at a gym in California while working there part-time. It wasn’t her true calling as Betsy’s heart beat for music as a classically trained pianist determined to chase her melodic aspirations.
Yet destiny had other plans, leading her down the aisle with Gene in 1991 at the youthful age of 30.
Beyond the limelight, Betsy harboured a flair for interior design, a talent she poured into crafting their Santa Fe sanctuary alongside Gene. Their synergy in design reflected in an abode replete with diverse cultural inspirations, meticulously choosing every inch of paint and furniture in unison.
Their collaborative efforts bore fruit, earning them pride of place in a 1990 Architectural Digest issue which showcased the picturesque home they established together, perched on a hill and encompassed by sprawling vistas.