Additional Coverage:
Tragic Circumstances Surround the Passing of Gene Hackman and Wife
Santa Fe, NM— Beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home last month. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office confirmed that deputies responded to a welfare check at the couple’s residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park on February 26, 2025.
Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Mr. Hackman, 95, and Ms.
Arakawa, 64, along with one of their dogs. Two other dogs were found alive on the property.
Authorities later determined that Ms. Arakawa died first from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
Mr. Hackman, who reportedly suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s and heart disease, is believed to have passed away approximately a week earlier, around February 18th.
Medical experts have suggested that due to his condition, he may have been unaware of his wife’s passing.
The couple, married for 34 years, were known for their private lifestyle. They resided in a gated community and were rarely seen by neighbors. One neighbor, speaking to the New York Times, noted the couple’s desire for privacy, stating, “He wanted to be quiet, he didn’t want to be bothered.”
While Mr. Hackman once showcased his home in a 1990 Architectural Digest feature, recent reports paint a different picture of the interior before the couple’s passing. A source described the condition of the $3.5 million ranch as “shocking,” citing dust, dog waste, and an empty refrigerator amidst elegant furnishings and artwork.
Mr. Hackman’s daughter, Leslie, spoke fondly of her father’s marriage, praising Ms.
Arakawa for her dedicated care. “They had a wonderful marriage,” she shared.
“And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.”
Mr. Hackman’s $80 million estate was reportedly left to Ms.
Arakawa, who served as the trustee of his trust. The distribution of assets to his three children from a previous marriage remains unclear.
Friends of the couple emphasized Ms. Arakawa’s protective nature and attentiveness to Mr.
Hackman’s health in his later years.