The late Gene Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, left behind a vast fortune, but his three children were notably absent from his will. The revelation has sparked widespread speculation and legal discussions about what will happen to his $80 million estate.
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home in late February, sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Their deaths, occurring within days of each other, led to an investigation that uncovered critical details about their final moments and the fate of their wealth.
Medical examiners determined that Arakawa passed away first, around February 11, due to a rare and severe illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This disease, often contracted from rodent droppings, leads to fatal respiratory complications, and it appears to have taken her life unexpectedly.
Just one week later, Hackman himself succumbed to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease cited as a significant contributing factor.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the state’s Office of the Medical Investigator, noted that Hackman had been in a fragile state for some time. His advanced Alzheimer’s and severe heart disease had left him in declining health, and ultimately, it was these conditions that led to his passing so soon after his wife’s.
Following Hackman’s passing, legal documents confirmed that the two-time Oscar-winning actor had left his entire estate to Arakawa. This decision, made years before his death, effectively excluded his three children—a revelation that has led to questions about whether they have any legal claim to his fortune.
Before marrying Arakawa, Hackman had three children with his first wife, Faye Maltese:
- Christopher Hackman, 65
- Elizabeth Hackman, 62
- Leslie Hackman, 58
While they were not included in his 1995 will, legal experts suggest that the situation isn’t necessarily settled.
California attorney Tre Lovell weighed in on the legal complexity surrounding Hackman’s will. In an interview, he explained that under succession laws, Hackman’s children could still be entitled to a portion of the estate.
The key factor? The order of death.
Since Hackman’s will named Arakawa as the sole beneficiary, and she died before him, the legal standing of the will becomes uncertain. If there were no additional provisions designating a new recipient after her passing, the estate may now be subject to intestate succession laws—meaning his children could be next in line to inherit his wealth.
Another legal expert, David A. Esquibias, weighed in on the likelihood of Hackman’s will being contested. According to him, the age of the will plays a major role in determining how easily it can be legally challenged.
He pointed out that Hackman last updated his will in 2005, making it nearly 20 years old at the time of his death. The older the will, the harder it is to challenge. Had Hackman made significant changes to his estate plan in 2024 or 2025, there might be stronger grounds for a legal dispute, but contesting a will that has remained intact for decades is a monumental legal challenge.
Arakawa’s Will Adds Another Twist
Even though Hackman’s will left everything to Arakawa, she had her own legal plan in place. Her will included a specific clause that stated if she and Hackman passed away within 90 days of each other, her estate would bypass any family members and instead go directly into a trust, which would later be donated to charity.
Since Arakawa did, in fact, die within that time frame, the $80 million fortune may not even reach Hackman’s children at all. Instead, the assets could be transferred into a charitable trust, effectively cutting his children out entirely.
What Happens Next?
With the estate now caught in a legal gray area, it will likely take months—if not years—to resolve. If no secondary beneficiaries were named in Hackman’s estate plan, the courts will step in to determine rightful ownership under state inheritance laws.
For Hackman’s children, the battle is not necessarily over, but winning a legal claim will be far from easy. The existence of long-standing wills, complex inheritance clauses, and charitable donations could make it almost impossible for them to receive any portion of their father’s wealth.
The fate of Hackman’s legacy now rests in the hands of legal experts, who will decide whether his $80 million estate is passed down to his biological heirs or given away according to Arakawa’s final wishes.