"She just adored him" — Gene Hackman and wife Betsy’s friends open up about the couple's relationship after their deaths

Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman’s sudden death shocked almost everyone alike. Many, from big names to the general audience, paid tribute to the late couple after their demise. The Academy also included The French Connection actor in its ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 97th Oscars.

Weeks after their death, ABC News premiered an hour-long special titled Last Days of Gene Hackman on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The program featured interviews with the couple’s friends describing their relationship and last days.

Kevin Bobolosky, identified as Hackman and Arakawa’s real estate broker, talked fondly about them,

“Gene was a real guy's guy. He was a gentle giant, very calm. Betsy, I think, mostly did all the cooking and cleaning on this big estate, out of love. She just adored him. So they had everything they wanted.”

The couple’s friend, Stephan Marshall, also spoke with ABC News and recounted the dynamic they shared,

“She [Betsy] had been with Gene since she was pretty young. He was very proud of her accomplishments; she had played with the Honolulu Philharmonic Orchestra.”

There was a 32-year age gap between Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa when they married in 1991. Marshall also reflected upon the reports of Betsy dying a week before her husband,

“That really struck home with me thinking about Betsy. I’m sure it just never occurred to anybody that she wouldn’t outlast him.”

---

AMPAS paid tribute to Gene Hackman at the 97th Oscars

The news of the Under Suspicion actor’s demise broke out at the end of February. A few days after his death, Gene was remembered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the 97th Oscars held earlier this month. He was honored during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment, and Morgan Freeman took center-stage at the recent edition of Academy Awards to pay tribute to his “dear friend,”

“Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him [Gene Hackman]. I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone's work. He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world. Gene always said, ‘I don't think about legacy, I just hope people remembered me as someone who tried to do good work.’”

Gene Hackman received five Oscar nominations and won two times. He received the prestigious award for The French Connection (Best Actor) and Unforgiven (Best Supporting Actor).

---

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their Santa Fe home

The Royal Tenenbaums actor had retired with his wife in New Mexico’s Santa Fe. They lived at a house in a gated community, where they were found dead in February. One of their three dogs was also reported dead, while the other two were alive. The authorities ruled out foul play, but the mysterious circumstances led to subsequent investigations.

The officials dismissed carbon monoxide as a potential cause of the couple’s death and revealed their theory in March. Per the authorities, Arakawa was last seen alive on February 11. She had also called a clinic on the following day for an appointment, Daily Mail reported, but never showed up.

The reports suggest that Betsy might have died a week before Hackman. The 95-year-old actor reportedly passed away due to a heart disease, while his wife died from hantavirus, autopsies revealed. The authorities confirmed that Gene most likely passed away on February 18, as his pacemaker showed the last signs of activity that day, along with an abnormal heart rhythm.

The veteran actor was suffering from “advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” the officials confirmed. It was also suggested that Hackman’s condition was potentially the reason behind his death and his inability to report Arakawa’s demise.