Gene Hackman’s will has been revealed, with the two-time Oscar winner leaving all of his fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa. However, there is a significant twist. Hackman designated Betsy as his sole beneficiary in 1995, excluding his three children – son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth – from the will. While the initial plan was for Betsy to inherit everything, the circumstances of their deaths could alter the distribution of the money.
Betsy tragically succumbed to hantavirus, a rare and potentially fatal disease, while Gene passed away a week later due to cardiovascular disease. It was noted that Hackman was battling Alzheimer’s disease, which may have contributed to his failure to alert authorities about his wife’s condition.
In the event of a simultaneous death within 90 days, Betsy’s will stipulates that all her assets would go to charity. In New Mexico, a community property state, without a prenuptial agreement, Betsy’s estate may hold a significant amount of money, with her portion potentially directed towards charitable causes.
While Gene’s will did not include his children, they are likely to inherit his share as his closest living heirs. Gene’s eldest son, Chris, has reportedly sought legal counsel, suggesting a possible challenge to the will. Hackman had openly discussed his strained relationship with his children, acknowledging his absence during Chris’ upbringing but expressing efforts to reconnect in later years.
Representatives for the estates of Hackman and Arakawa have taken legal action to preserve the privacy of the deceased couple, requesting a preliminary injunction against the release of any sensitive materials related to the investigation. Speculation arises regarding the impact of Gene’s Alzheimer’s condition on the circumstances surrounding his wife’s passing.
The couple was discovered deceased in their residence, with authorities estimating their bodies had been undiscovered for over a week. Efforts to seek clarification from Hackman’s representative and family members regarding the will remain unanswered at this time.
