Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home this past February. Initially, uncertainty surrounded their passing, leading to speculation about the legendary actor\u2019s final moments. However, authorities have since confirmed that Hackman died of natural causes.\n\n\n\n

Having shared over three decades of marriage, Hackman and Arakawa lived a quiet life away from Hollywood\u2019s glare. New details have now emerged, shedding light on the actor\u2019s final years and his struggles with aging. A close friend revealed that Hackman had become increasingly preoccupied with the toll of getting older, both physically and emotionally.\n\n\n\n

Their deaths came to light when a caretaker made a 911 call just before 2 p.m., alerting authorities to a distressing scene. Upon arrival, law enforcement determined that the couple had been deceased for some time. In a heartfelt statement, Hackman\u2019s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter, Annie, expressed their grief, describing him as not only a Hollywood icon but a devoted father and grandfather whose absence would leave an immeasurable void.\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss,\u201d the family shared.\n\n\n\n

Following the discovery, the sheriff\u2019s office conducted carbon monoxide and toxicology tests to rule out any external causes. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza later confirmed that no signs of foul play were found. With no evidence of a struggle or missing belongings, authorities concluded that the deaths were not linked to any criminal activity.\n\n\n\n

CNN later obtained the 911 call, offering more insight into the discovery. The distressed maintenance workers who found the couple reported seeing the two bodies through a window but were unable to gain entry. The shaken voice of the caller underscored the gravity of the situation.\n\n\n\n

The news of Hackman\u2019s passing sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. His daughter, Leslie, attempted to quell speculation, stating that there had been no prior health concerns. Despite being 94, she described her father as being in excellent shape, practicing yoga and Pilates multiple times a week. He had not undergone any recent surgeries and, by all accounts, remained relatively healthy for his age.\n\n\n\n

Still, further investigation revealed that Hackman\u2019s health had been deteriorating more than his family had realized. A week after his passing, Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed that he had succumbed to coronary artery disease. However, what shocked many was the revelation that his wife had died a week earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare and severe respiratory illness typically contracted through exposure to infected rodents. Her passing was estimated to have occurred on February 11, while Hackman\u2019s was determined to have taken place on February 18.\n\n\n\n

Reports indicated that Hackman, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer\u2019s, may not have fully comprehended his wife\u2019s death. Dr. Jarrell suggested that his cognitive decline likely prevented him from recognizing that she had passed, meaning he may have spent his final days unaware of her absence.\n\n\n\n

Born in San Bernardino, California, on January 30, 1930, Hackman\u2019s early years were marked by constant relocation as his family moved from town to town in search of work. His mother worked as a waitress, while his father operated a printing press. Eventually, they settled in Danville, Illinois, but Hackman found little interest in school. At just 16, he lied about his age to enlist in the Marines, seeking adventure and purpose. However, a severe motorbike accident ultimately ended his military career, leading him to search for a new path.\n\n\n\n

His time in the Marines introduced him to radio communications, a skill that would later play a small role in his unexpected foray into acting. In 1956, after marrying his first wife, Faye Maltese, Hackman pursued a career in performance. He moved to the West Coast and enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where his natural talent began to take shape.\n\n\n\n

Among his classmates was Dustin Hoffman, who, like Hackman, was labeled as \u201cleast likely to succeed\u201d by instructors. Despite their early struggles, both men went on to defy expectations, becoming two of the most revered actors of their time. Hackman\u2019s career started with small Broadway roles and television appearances before making his film debut in Mad Dog Coll (1961). His breakthrough came in Bonnie & Clyde (1967), earning his first Academy Award nomination.\n\n\n\n

By 1972, Hackman had solidified his place among Hollywood\u2019s elite, winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for The French Connection. He continued to deliver critically acclaimed performances in Hoosiers, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, cementing his legacy as one of cinema\u2019s most enduring talents.\n\n\n\n

In his later years, Hackman gradually stepped away from the spotlight, retiring from acting after his role in Welcome to Mooseport (2004). He embraced a quieter life, spending time with his wife, Betsy, whom he married in 1991, and enjoying his hobbies.\n\n\n\n

Despite his extraordinary career, Hackman reportedly struggled with the realities of aging. A longtime friend, Stuart Ashman, revealed that Hackman remained highly active, cycling, practicing Pilates, and doing yoga well into his 90s. However, he was increasingly troubled by the changes aging brought.\n\n\n\n

Another acquaintance, FBI agent Stephen Marshall, noted that Hackman had become self-conscious about his appearance, finding it difficult to watch his old films. He avoided screenings of his own movies, once breaking into a cold sweat at the mere suggestion of watching himself on screen. This reluctance to confront his aging image contributed to his gradual withdrawal from public life.\n\n\n\n

Yet, through all the challenges, Hackman\u2019s passion for golf remained a significant part of his later years. He was known for his competitive nature, which sometimes led to frustration on the course. His golf instructor, Mike Putnam, recalled Hackman\u2019s determination to perfect his game, though Betsy picked it up with ease\u2014something that both amused and irritated her husband.\n\n\n\n

Despite the struggles that came with aging, those who knew Hackman described his relationship with Betsy as one of unwavering companionship. Their deaths, occurring so close together, were a poignant testament to the bond they shared.\n\n\n\n

The world lost not just a cinematic legend but a man who touched countless lives through his performances and personal relationships. His legacy will live on in the films he left behind, the memories shared by those who knew him, and the mark he made on the industry.\n\n\n\n

Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. Your story will never be forgotten.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"