Gene Hackman Dies With Wife by His Side

Gene Hackman, the legendary actor known for iconic roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and Hoosiers, was found deceased at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in February 2025. He was 94 years old. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was also found deceased in the same residence. Authorities confirmed that both died of natural causes.

According to the medical examiner’s report, Hackman died from complications related to heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s. His wife, 62, had died days earlier, and her death was attributed to hantavirus, a rare but potentially fatal virus often contracted through rodent droppings. Officials determined that both deaths were unrelated in cause but occurred in close succession.

The couple had been living quietly in Santa Fe for many years. Hackman, who retired from acting in 2004, kept a low public profile but remained a revered figure in the film industry. He and Betsy had been married since 1991 and were known to be very private.

News of their passing stunned fans and colleagues. Many expressed sadness at the double loss and shared memories of Hackman’s legacy in American cinema. The couple’s deaths marked the end of an era for one of Hollywood’s most respected and private figures.

Hackman’s career spanned more than five decades. He won two Academy Awards—Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). His performances were known for their intensity, realism, and emotional depth. He played a wide range of roles, including detectives, villains, coaches, and complex antiheroes.

Some of his other acclaimed films include Mississippi Burning, The Conversation, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He was also widely recognized for portraying Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequels.

After retiring from acting, Hackman pursued a second career as a novelist. He co-wrote several historical and suspense novels, often set in the American West. Though he rarely gave interviews, he occasionally spoke about enjoying a quieter life away from Hollywood.

Hackman’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis had not been made public before his death. Close friends reported that his health had been declining for several years. The sudden passing of his wife just days earlier may have played a role in his final days.

Authorities found no signs of foul play. The home was undisturbed, and both individuals were in their respective rooms. Officials confirmed that Betsy likely contracted hantavirus through environmental exposure, a rare occurrence but not unheard of in rural New Mexico.

Gene Hackman is survived by three children from his first marriage. A private memorial service is being planned. Fans and fellow actors continue to share tributes online, honoring both his remarkable body of work and the quiet dignity with which he lived his later years.

Hackman’s legacy remains secure as one of the greatest American actors of his generation. His death, alongside his beloved wife, brings a solemn end to a long life filled with artistry, achievement, and deep personal connection.