Who Did Gene Hackman Leave His $80 Million Fortune To? Inside His Last Will

When Gene Hackman’s will was finally revealed, one detail stood out—his three children were nowhere to be found. Instead, his entire fortune was left to one person.

In the weeks following the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, their wills have come to light, shedding new light on the distribution of Hackman's estimated $80 million estate.

Documents reveal that the two-time Oscar winner designated Betsy as his sole beneficiary in a trust established in 1995. Notably, his three children from a previous marriage—son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth—were not mentioned in the will.

However, the distribution of the estate could change depending on timing. Betsy's will adds another layer to the story. She also left most of her assets to Gene. In her will, it stipulates that if she and Gene died within 90 days of each other, their deaths would be considered simultaneous, and her assets would then be directed to charitable organizations.

Given that New Mexico, where they lived, is a community property state, and assuming no prenuptial agreement existed, Betsy's estate could encompass a substantial portion of their combined wealth. In this scenario, her share would be allocated to charity.

As for Gene's estate, despite his children not being named in the will, they are his direct living heirs and would presumably inherit his portion. ​The timing of their deaths adds complexity to the situation. Betsy passed away on February 11, 2025, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, likely contracted through rodent exposure.

Gene, who had advanced Alzheimer's disease, died approximately a week later on February 18, 2025, due to severe heart disease and high blood pressure. ​These circumstances may lead to legal disputes among the heirs, as the exact distribution of the estate hinges on the interpretation of the wills and the timing of the couple's deaths. ​