Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in New Mexico. His will, written in 2005, left his entire $80 million fortune to Arakawa, leaving out his three kids. However, since Arakawa predeceased Hackman by several days, the estate’s succession plan has become uncertain. Legal experts suggest that Hackman’s children may now have a claim to the estate as the next living heirs. Complicating matters, Arakawa’s will stipulated that if Hackman did not survive her by 90 days, her estate would pass to a charitable trust. The overlapping timelines of their deaths have introduced complexities in determining the rightful beneficiaries of Hackman’s fortune
For more information see TMZ Staff “Gene Hackman Left Fortune to Deceased Wife, Nothing for Kids” TMZ, March 14, 2025.
Special thanks to David S. Luber (Florida Probate Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.
