Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, has left his entire estate of $80m to his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa. However, after her unexpected death alongside her husband in their New Mexico home, legal experts have raised questions about the distribution of his wealth.
The couple’s children from Hackman’s previous marriage are not named beneficiaries in the will, but under California succession laws, they may inherit the estate if it is deemed invalid due to Arakawa’s pre-death condition.
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead on February 26 after their bodies were discovered by neighbours at their $4m Santa Fe home. Arakawa passed away seven days prior due to a rare virus contracted before Hackman’s death from natural causes, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease contributing to his passing.
While the couple’s relationship has been subject of public interest, they have rarely spoken publicly about it. In past interviews, Hackman discussed the challenges his children faced growing up as the children of a celebrity, and how he struggled to balance work and family life.
The estate will be probated under California intestate succession laws, which make his children next in line to inherit if there is no other beneficiary named. They would need to prove that the will is invalid due to Arakawa’s pre-death condition.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7985ld2lrro