Why People Say Gene Hackman’s Children

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025, along with one of their dogs. Hackman, known for his successful career in Hollywood and literature, left behind an estate worth around $80 million, including a $3.8 million home in Santa Fe. The distribution of his wealth has sparked controversy, particularly concerning his three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. Since Hackman and Arakawa passed away within 120 hours of each other, New Mexico law classifies their deaths as simultaneous, which could impact inheritance proceedings.

Online discussions have focused on whether Hackman’s children should inherit any of his fortune, with some social media users criticizing them for allegedly not being involved in his life during his later years. Many commenters pointed out that the children didn’t seem to check on Hackman, especially given his age and health issues, and expressed the belief that the estate should go to someone else. Some argued that the children’s lack of communication with their father should disqualify them from receiving any inheritance, and the debate over who deserves Hackman’s fortune continues.