Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa’s wills revealed: Who gets his $80M fortune?

The details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s wills have been revealed two weeks after they were both found dead in their New Mexico home.

Hackman left his estimated $80 million fortune to Arakawa, his successor trustee, the Daily Mail reported Thursday.

The legendary actor, who had Alzheimer’s disease, had not updated his will since June 2005.

It is unclear whether Hackman’s three children — Christopher, 65, Leslie, 58, and Elizabeth, 62 — were named in the legal document.

The details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s wills have been revealed. Getty Images

The legendary actor left his estimated $80 million fortune to his wife. BACKGRID

Due to Arakawa’s death — which preceded Hackman’s by one week — the money likely will still be passed to his kids, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese.

However, given the uncertainty of Hackman’s beneficiaries, there could be a legal battle brewing between Christopher, who reportedly has hired a high-powered attorney, and his two sisters.

Meanwhile, Arakawa’s assets were designated to a trust, which will pay out all her medical debts before being distributed to different charities.

The pianist did not have children of her own.

Hackman signed the most recent copy of his will in June 2005, per the Daily Mail. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

It is unclear whether his three kids were named as beneficiaries. Sygma via Getty Images

Attorney Julia Peters has been appointed as the executor of both wills, according to the outlet.

Peters also filed paperwork to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports, specifically photographs and police body-camera video from the scene.

Last month, the two-time Oscar winner “died as a result of his heart disease with the Alzheimer’s being a contributing factor.” He was 95.

Although his body was not discovered until Feb. 26, he is believed to have died on Feb. 18 — according to his pacemaker, which last recorded activity that day.

Since Arakawa died before Hackman, the money likely will be passed to his children. Getty Images

The couple were found deceased in their New Mexico home last month. GC Images

The “French Connection” actor, who was found dead near his kitchen, was likely living at home alone with the body of his wife unknowingly for a full week due to the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Arakawa, for her part, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare, flu-like illness spread mainly by rodent feces that attacks the lungs — on Feb. 11. It is unclear how she contracted the disease. She was 65.

She was found lying on her side in a bathroom with signs of “mummification.”

The pianist died from a rare rodent-borne illness. She was 65. / SplashNews.com

The actor died of heart disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor. He was 95. / SplashNews.com

One of the late couple’s friends later told the New York Times that Hackman would have died “long ago” without Arakawa’s help.

“She was very protective of him,” Tom Allin told the newspaper, noting that she “just really looked after him.”

Arakawa was married to Hackman for 34 years before their deaths. The couple lived a very private life in Santa Fe and was last photographed togetherduring a dinner date in March 2024.

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