The Oscar award-winning actor and his wife were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. One of their dogs was also found lifeless.
Gene Hackman, the legendary actor and novelist, left behind an estate worth millions, a fortune amassed through decades of success in Hollywood and literature. However, the division of his wealth has sparked online discussions, particularly regarding his three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie.
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman during Celebrity Sports Invitational in Rancho Mirage, California, on November 29, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home, raising questions about the circumstances of their passing. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office provided answers, shedding light on the details of their deaths.
These findings may also influence the distribution of their estate, including their $3.8 million Santa Fe residence and other assets that sum up to about $80 million. Under New Mexico law, if a couple passes away within 120 hours of each other, their deaths are classified as simultaneous.
This legal distinction could impact inheritance proceedings, particularly since Arakawa, a pianist from Hawaii, had no children of her own. As the legal process unfolds, speculation continues about how Hackman’s estate will be allocated and whether his children will ultimately inherit a share of his fortune.
Some social media users strongly believe that Hackman’s children should not inherit his fortune, citing their alleged lack of involvement in his later years.
One person was particularly adamant, saying, “Well, I hope that fortune goes to anybody but his children! Sorry, I disliked by [my] dad because of his wife, and I still called them once or twice a week to check on them…. This man was 95 with dementia for God’s sake! And you don’t check in on him??? I hope the two remaining German shepherds get their fortune!!!”
Another netizen echoed this sentiment, “Kids should get nothing so long these people are gone and no once checked on them.” One person expressed disbelief at the situation, “3 children? Nobody check on them daily? Sad.”
Many people pointed to the lack of communication between Hackman and his children, “His kids didn’t care to check on their father, but you best believe they’ll find plenty of time to get every single penny from him. IMO, they don’t deserve jack.”
A comment with similar views read, “His children shouldn’t get any of his money! A simple phone call to their dad, especially knowing the health conditions he had.”
One individual bluntly stated, “His two daughters are so devastated by his death, they didn’t even know he had died for two weeks?? If only they had given him a call.”
The debate continues online, with many convinced that Hackman’s estate should go to someone—or something—other than his children.
