The New Mexico estate of the late actor Gene Hackman has been placed on the market for $6.25 million, approximately one year after both he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their home. Their bodies were found on February 26, 2023, in separate rooms, alongside the remains of their dog. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have garnered significant public interest.
On February 11, Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness transmitted by rodent droppings. Hackman, aged 95 at the time of his death, reportedly passed away a week later from complications related to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. The couple had been married since 1991 and shared a life together in their expansive 13,000-square-foot estate.
Details of the Estate
The estate, located in a gated community, features extensive wooded land, a three-bedroom guesthouse, a putting green, a lap pool, and a hot tub. Listing agents Tara S. Early and Rick Allen from Sotheby’s International Realty indicated that they priced the property based on its market value rather than any celebrity premium typically associated with homes of notable figures.
Early noted, “There will be some buyers that are just averse to purchasing a property where a death has occurred. There are other buyers for whom that doesn’t matter. We are selling the property on its virtues and all of the positives.” The couple’s personal belongings have been removed from the home, making it available for new occupants.
Legacy and Family Impact
Hackman, regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, won two Academy Awards for his performances in The French Connection and Unforgiven. He has three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, which ended in divorce in 1986. The family stated, “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
After Arakawa’s passing, it is believed that Hackman lived for approximately a week. Given his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, officials remain uncertain whether he was aware of his wife’s death. The sale of their estate marks a poignant chapter in the legacy of a beloved figure in Hollywood history.
