Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa left behind a staggering fortune (Image: GETTY)
Details into the deaths of and Betsy Arakawa were released on Friday (March 7) by Santa Fe, New Mexico officials citing no foul play. The couple died from natural causes and were found in separate rooms of their home on February 26. Betsy died around February 11 from a rare virus spread by mice, while Gene likely died on February 18 from heart disease.
Details of Gene and Betsy’s wills have been revealed a month after their deaths. It has been reported by the Daily Mail that the Oscar-winning actor, 95, left his $80million fortune to his wife Betsy, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It’s unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will.
Gene Hackman pictured with his three children (Image: Getty)
In Betsy’s will she has reportedly designated assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organisations and the settlement of medical debts.
Attorney Julia Peters is believed to have been appointed as executor of both wills.
Gene tied the knot with his wife Betsy in December 1991 when he was 61 and his other half was 31 at the time.
They lived together in their Santa Fe home in New Mexico where Betsy ran an upmarket furniture store and was also a classical pianist.
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Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy are believed to have died just days apart (Image: Getty)
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa tied the knot in 1991 (Image: Getty)
It has been claimed Gene’s commitment to his career had caused a rift in his family when his marriage to Faye ended in divorce and at certain points had been apart from his children due to his work.
He “lost touch” with his son Christopher, openly admitting that he was “gone so much” while his son was at an “age where he needed support and guidance”.
Gene seemingly maintained contact with Leslie and Elizabeth, who were both spotted on occasion accompanying him to film screenings and events.
But the actor also acknowledged his children had a difficult upbringing and struggled with having his “success always hanging over their heads”.
The family had reconciled at the time he married Betsy who was said to be keen for her partner’s family to heal and encouraged him to invite them and his grandchildren over to their Santa Fe home.
Towards the end of his life Gene was said to be “close with his children and their kids”.