Gene Hackman’s estate has been left uncertain after his wife Betsy Arakawa passed away, potentially rendering his will invalid. The will, released by the couple’s family, leaves Hackman’s entire fortune to Arakawa, but authorities have determined that she pre-deceased him by as much as a week.
If this timeline is confirmed, California attorney Tre Lovell stated that the estate would be probated according to intestate succession laws, making Hackman’s children, from his previous marriage, the next in line to inherit. The children would need to prove that the will is invalid due to Arakawa’s pre-death.
Hackman’s wife left all her assets to him with a provision that if he pre-deceased her, they would go into a trust and then to charity. The couple was found dead in their Sante Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, with foul play ruled out. Arakawa died from a virus on February 11, and Hackman survived for possibly a week before passing away due to natural causes.
The situation raises questions about the fairness of the will, particularly considering that Hackman’s children have reported little interaction with him in recent years. Some argue that he deliberately left his children out, as evident in his lack of mention in the will. However, it is essential to note that, legally, they are entitled to the estate due to their father’s failure to prepare for such an eventuality.
Hackman won two Academy Awards during his long and respected career. Despite his contributions to Hollywood, his personal life has been marred by controversy, particularly regarding his relationships with his children. His family’s reaction to the situation is subject to interpretation, but one thing is certain: the distribution of his estate will have significant repercussions for those left behind.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/03/gene-hackman-children-not-named-will-claim-estate-report-1236327755