Gene Hackman’s will has revealed that he left his entire $80 million estate to his wife, Betsy Arakawa, without mentioning his three children. However, because Betsy passed away just days before him, a legal clause may shift the inheritance away from his kids and instead direct it to charity.
Hackman had named Betsy as his sole beneficiary back in 1995, long before his declining health. Since they died within 90 days of each other, her will treats their deaths as simultaneous, meaning her assets—including Hackman’s fortune—could be distributed to charities instead of family members. New Mexico’s community property laws may further complicate the situation, as they govern how shared assets are handled when one spouse dies.
Hackman’s eldest son, Christopher, has reportedly hired a trust and estate attorney, indicating that he may challenge the will. While Hackman had admitted to having a strained relationship with his children in the past, reports suggest he had become closer to them in recent years. Legal experts say the court battle over his estate could be lengthy, especially if his children argue that his Alzheimer’s disease affected his decision-making.
Meanwhile, the estate’s legal team is requesting a court injunction to prevent authorities from releasing photos or videos from the scene where Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their home. With legal disputes already forming, the battle over Hackman’s fortune is only beginning.
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