Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Betsy Arakawa may have been in a three-decade relationship with famous, Oscar-winning husband Gene Hackman, but her life was largely out of the spotlight.
The couple met while she was working part-time in a California fitness center, per The New York Times. After living together for several years, Arakawa and Hackman tied the knot in 1991. (Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986. The Oscar winner and Maltese, who died in 2017, shared three children: Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie.)
Arakawa and Hackman resided in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for over 30 years until their deaths in 2025. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly in February 2025 that the pair and their dog were found dead at their home. According to the statement, foul play was not suspected as a factor but the exact cause of death “has not been determined” with an investigation ongoing.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” a statement to Us read, which was signed by Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman. “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.
Scroll down for everything to know about Arakawa:
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were married for over 30 years before they were found dead on Wednesday, February 26. Hackman was first married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986. The couple shared three children, Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie. Maltese died in 2017. The Superman actor […]
She Was Born in Hawaii
Newsweek reported that Arakawa hailed from Hawaii and spent time in California before ultimately relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Hackman circa 1990 to a home featured in Architectural Digest.
She Was a Stepmother
While Arakawa reportedly did not have children of her own, she became a stepmother to Hackman’s three children with Maltese: Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie. Per Hackman’s bio with Simon and Schuster, the pair also had two German Shepherds.
She Enjoyed Nights in With Hackman
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Hackman shared a rare glimpse of their relationship while speaking with Empire in 2020, gushing that the pair enjoyed watching “DVDs that my wife rents; we like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce.” He also noted that every Friday night was a Comedy Channel marathon.
She Was an Artist
The New York Times reported that Arakawa was a classical pianist. After Hackman retired from acting, he transitioned to writing and published his first book, Wake of the Perdido Star, in 1999.
In 2014, Hackman told the “Writer’s Bone” podcast that Arakawa played a role in his writing. “If in fact I have a style, it came from repeated edits, friends’ suggestions, and my wife’s unwavering, specific read-throughs,” he said, per People.
She Was the Co-Owner of a Home Furnishing Business
Arakawa was the co-owner of a Santa Fe-based home furnishing business, according to Newsweek. When Arakawa and Hackman’s home was featured in Architectural Digest in 1990, the outlet reported: “Betsy Arakawa was on the site much of the time, consulting with Hackman by phone and sending photographs of the work in progress.”
