Who was Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife, found dead with him in New Mexico

Betsy Arakawa, who was found dead on 26 February, 2026, alongside her husband legendary actor Gene Hackman at their Santa Fe home, was a classically trained pianist who married the actor in 1991.

Arakawa was born in Hawaii in the 60s, but met Hackman at a gym in California, where she was working part-time to fund her pursuit of a career in classical music. She is a classically trained pianist according to the New York Post.

Arakawa started dating Hackman in the 80s

The couple began dating in the 80s, but Gene Hackman was eager to make it clear that he did not abandon his first wife, Faye Maltese, for Arakawa, rather that they simply grew apart. “By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”

Arakawa’s support for Hackman

Though she never sought the spotlight, Arakawa became a stepmother to Hackman’s three children from his previous marriage, supporting him as he transitioned from acting to writing. She played a crucial role in shaping their life together, particularly in the design of their Santa Fe home, where she managed renovations and collaborated with Hackman on the details while he was away filming.

Despite being married to a Hollywood icon, Arakawa always maintained an intensely private life, avoiding interviews and social media. She and Hackman preferred a quiet existence, sharing their home with their two German shepherds and keeping up a Friday night ritual of watching films and comedy specials. She was also an important influence on Hackman’s writing, offering detailed feedback on his novels.

Arakawa found dead alongside husband Hackman

The couple were found dead on Wednesday, February 26, at their Santa Fe home. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed to the Santa Fe New Mexican that the bodies had been discovered on Wednesday afternoon, although he didn’t indicate a time of death. At the time of publication a cause of death had not been given.

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