Gene Hackman's Will Sparks Controversy as Children Left Out of $80 Million Fortune

Gene Hackman's will assigns his entire $80 million estate to his late wife Betsy Arakawa, raising speculation about his children's potential claims under inheritance laws in New Mexico after both were found dead at their home within a week of each other.

The will of the esteemed actor Gene Hackman has become a focal point of discussion following its release, particularly concerning the fate of his substantial $80 million (£62 million) estate. Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, bequeathed his entire fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who tragically passed away just a week before him on February 11.

Legal experts suggest that Hackman's three children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese—may still assert a claim to their father's estate under New Mexico's state laws. However, they face the daunting task of proving that the will is invalid, as Arakawa died earlier than Hackman, which complicates matters of inheritance. So far, the children have not made any public statements regarding the will’s stipulations.

Documents reviewed by the BBC indicate that Hackman, 95, had designated Arakawa, 65, as his sole beneficiary since 1995, with the most recent update to the will dated back to 2005. The couple was found dead in their $4 million home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, prompting a welfare check after concerned neighbors reported not seeing them.

While initial concerns led authorities to label the situation as "suspicious", they later concluded that both deaths were due to natural causes. Hackman died from severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's contributing, while Arakawa's passing was attributed to a rare virus.

Hackman’s children are pondering their options, as California attorney Tre Lovell explained that unless alternative beneficiaries are mentioned in any trust, the succession laws of intestacy would have their rights take precedence. Lovell emphasized that if there is any contention regarding the will, the children will have to establish its invalidity based on the circumstances surrounding Arakawa's demise.

In her own will, Arakawa stipulated that her assets were to be transferred to Hackman, and included a clause ensuring that should they pass away within 90 days of each other, her estate would go to a trust earmarked for charity after medical expenses were settled.

Throughout his career, Hackman was open about the challenges of maintaining a family life in the public eye, highlighting the strains that his profession placed on his relationships. His daughters, while sharing their grief at his passing, have expressed their deep affection for him, reminding the world that to them, he was more than just an iconic actor; he was a devoted father and grandfather.