Gene Hackman, the esteemed Hollywood actor, and his beloved wife, Betsy Arakawa, were sadly discovered deceased at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this February. Initially, the cause of Gene’s passing wasn’t clear, but it has now been confirmed that he died of natural causes.

Gene, who enjoyed a long and joyful life, was married to Betsy for over three decades. However, a close friend has shared that, in his later years, Gene found getting older quite bothersome.

The discovery was made by a caretaker around 2 pm, who then called 911 to report the tragic event. Gene’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter Annie, expressed their deep sorrow in a statement to People Magazine, describing their father as both loved by millions and cherished by his family.

In their heartfelt words, they stated, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by many worldwide, yet to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. He will be sorely missed, and we are devastated by the loss.”

The authorities required both carbon monoxide and toxicology tests to understand the circumstances of their passing. However, there were no signs of foul play reported by Adan Mendoza, the Sheriff of Santa Fe County.

Gene Hackman Departs This World at the Age of 95

The sheriff also confirmed that there were no indications of a struggle or anything missing from their home. The couple had been deceased for an extended period before being found.

The 911 dispatcher was contacted by someone who had been maintaining the property. The person was emotional, explaining that they could see two persons unresponsive through a window. The voice on the call urgently pleaded for help, indicating a worrisome and heartfelt situation.

At first, the situation was clouded with mystery, and various theories were circulated. Gene’s daughter, Leslie, informed the Daily Mail that there was no sign of trouble with her father before his passing. She noted, “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition, enjoying Pilates and yoga several times a week.”

Leslie and her family were not entirely shocked by his passing, considering his age. Although she hadn’t seen him in a few months, she felt their relationship was close and “everything was normal and good” during their last conversations.

Facing Health Challenges in His Twilight Years

Dr. Heather Jarrell, a Chief Medical Investigator, confirmed on March 8 that Gene passed away due to natural causes shortly after Betsy. Gene suffered from coronary artery disease, and his Alzheimer’s might have meant he was unaware of Betsy’s earlier death.

Reports stated Betsy succumbed to a rare respiratory illness, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), often linked to exposure to infected rodents. Officials pieced together that Gene died on February 18, while Betsy had likely passed on February 11, a week earlier.

The illness can swiftly turn severe, causing a fast decline without medical intervention. Dr. Jarrell remarked that given his advanced Alzheimer’s, Gene might not have realized that Betsy had died.

Early Life: From San Bernardino to the Marine Corps

Gene was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California. His upbringing saw many relocations as his mother Lyda worked in dining, and his father Eugene in printing. After moving to Danville, Illinois, Gene left school at 16 to join the Marines, though an accident later led him away from service.

His time in the Marines gave him some radio experience, and with encouragement from his first wife, Faye Maltese, he ventured into acting. Moving to the West Coast, Gene enrolled in theater classes where he thrived, forming a lifelong friendship with Dustin Hoffman.

A Remarkable Acting Career

In 1972, Hackman won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The French Connection. His Hollywood journey accelerated, leading to a second Oscar win in 1993 for his performance in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. He became a cherished cinematic icon, from playing in Hoosiers to The Royal Tenenbaums. He retired after his final role in the 2004 movie Welcome to Mooseport.

Gene had three children with Faye Maltese before their divorce. He later married Betsy Arakawa, and they remained united until their passing. Leslie, the couple’s daughter, described their marriage as wonderful.

Stuart Ashman, a friend, shared that in Hackman’s last years, Gene was very focused on staying healthy though deeply troubled by aging. Remaining active, he often indulged in golf and yoga.

The Unavoidable Concern of Aging

Stephen Marshall, an FBI agent acquainted with the couple, revealed Gene’s struggle with getting older. Stephen reported, “He didn’t like being old and seeing himself on film.” Hackman’s reluctance to face such reminders is understandable, considering how memories of youth can often conflict with present realities.

Marshall recounted that Gene avoided public outings to elude recognition, although people in Santa Fe would notice him. He was uneasy about people seeing him as aged, despite still looking quite well for his age.

Golf was a passion for Hackman, and Mike Putnam, his instructor, described Gene as “determined” to improve his game, although sometimes frustrated by it.

Betsy seemed to pick up golf naturally, which added a playful dynamic between the couple, showcasing their loving bond. Despite Gene’s reservations about aging, both he and Betsy shared a life filled with mutual hobbies and passions, remaining admired by those who knew them well.

Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. Their legacy and love for life will continue to inspire. We invite you to share this tribute to honor their memory.