A month after the death of famed actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, details of their will have been revealed. Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, left his entire $80 million fortune to his wife, raising questions about the future of the inheritance for his children from his first marriage.
Hackman, who died at the age of 95, had been married to pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, since 1991. In his will, he named her as the administrator of his estate, explicitly excluding his three children from his marriage to Faye Maltese: Christopher Allen, 65, Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62. This has raised concerns about the possibility of a legal challenge from the children.
Legal battle on the horizon?
The fact that Hackman had been estranged from his children for years and that he updated his will in 2005, when he was already suffering from Alzheimer's, could serve as the basis for a legal challenge. His son, Christopher, has hired a well-known estate lawyer, Andrew M. Katzenstein, suggesting that he intends to protect his interests. Meanwhile, the actor's daughters have not yet taken any legal steps, leaving open .
A legal expert told DailyMail.com: "If Gene had died first, and Betsy had survived, there would have been a real war. His children would have gone mad."
Betsy Arakawa's will details
In her will, Betsy Arakawa stated that her estate would go to a charitable trust, with a portion to be used to pay off medical debts. This means that if Hackman's estate is fully included in this trust, his children could be left out of any inheritance.
In the document, she states: "If my husband dies, I give all my assets to be administered in a charitable trust, for purposes consistent with our mutual wishes during life."
The circumstances of the couple's mysterious death
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26. Investigations revealed that Arakawa had passed away around February 11 from a rare virus spread by rats, while Hackman died about a week later from heart disease.
One shocking detail was the discovery of their 12-year-old dog, Zinna, dead inside its cage, suggesting the animal had died of starvation and dehydration. The couple's two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, were found alive and healthy.
Legal experts have noted that the fact that Hackman died a few days after his wife could have an impact on the division of the estate. In New Mexico, if a couple dies within 120 hours of each other, the estate is divided differently than in a scenario where one spouse survives longer.
Hackman's complicated family past
Gene Hackman had a complicated relationship with his children, especially his son Christopher. In an interview, he admitted, "I was too busy with my career and I was away when my children needed me the most."
His first marriage to Faye Maltese ended in divorce in 1986, after more than 30 years of marriage. He married Betsy Arakawa in 1991, and she is said to have helped rebuild his relationship with his children.
In recent years, Hackman maintained sporadic contact with his children and grandchildren, but had more frequent contact with Leslie. In their statement to the media, Leslie and Elizabeth said they were "devastated" by the loss of their father and described him as "a beloved family figure, beyond his Hollywood fame."
What will happen next?
Since a full copy of the trust documents has not been released, it is not yet clear how Hackman's estate will be divided. New Mexico law allows claimants to file an inheritance case up to three years after a person's death. That means his children still have time to challenge the will and claim their share.
In the coming weeks, this case is expected to take a new turn, as legal experts and Hackman's family continue to try to unravel the future of his vast fortune. (A2 Televizion)
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