top of page

Gene Hackman’s Children “Not Named In His Will, But Could Still Claim Estate”

Writer: Kris AvalonKris Avalon

The succession of the considerable estate of Gene Hackman is now in question after the discovery that his three adult children are not named as beneficiaries to his estate in his will.



Following the poignant circumstances of the deaths last month of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, more uncertainty lingers over what will happen to his $80million fortune.


BBC News reports that the will of the double Oscar winner has been released, showing Hackman left his entire estate to his late wife, with no mention of his three children from his earlier marriage.


However, following the discovery of their bodies on February 26, authorities have established that Arakawa pre-deceased her husband by as much as a week. If this is ascertained, the BBC quotes an LA attorney saying this would render Hackman’s will invalid, and mean his children could have a claim to the estate.


Gene Hackman and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie at the “Superman” screening in 1978. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Gene Hackman and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie at the “Superman” screening in 1978. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

California attorney Tre Lovell told the BBC: “The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit.”


They would also need to prove that the will is invalid because Arakawa died before Hackman, he added.


Arakawa’s will left all her assets to her husband, with the provision that if he predeceased her, they would go into a trust and then to charity.


The couple’s bodies were discovered in their Sante Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, and foul play soon eliminated as a course. Authorities said Arakawa died from a virus on February 11, with her husband surviving possibly a week longer, before he died of natural causes.


Hackman enjoyed a long career as one of Hollywood’s most critically respected as well as popular actors. He won two Academy Awards, the first for his lead role in The French Connection (1971) and the second for his supporting role in Unforgiven (1997).


Comments


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

©2022 by Kris Avalon. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page