Gene Hackman’s Death Raises Estate Disputes and Privacy Concerns

The actor and his wife died days apart, leaving an $80M fortune and legal battles over their wills and privacy rights.

Gene Hackman, 95, died of heart disease with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor, days after his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hackman’s will left his $80M estate to Arakawa, but a simultaneous death clause in her will could redirect the assets to charity, sparking potential legal challenges from Hackman’s children.
The couple’s estate has filed a court petition to block the release of autopsy photos, bodycam footage, and other investigative materials to protect their privacy.
Authorities revealed that Hackman likely lived with his wife’s body for a week due to his advanced Alzheimer’s, with their deaths being ruled as natural causes.
The investigation remains open as officials await additional forensic and canine necropsy results, while public records laws face scrutiny over privacy versus transparency.