In Love Until the End: Look at Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Relationship Timeline Including First Meeting At a Gym to Their 'Suspicious' Deaths
Hackman and Arakawa's deaths have rocked the industry.
March 5 2025, Published 9:30 p.m. ET
1980s: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Meet at a Gym
A gas leak has effectively been ruled out as the cause of Hackman and Arakawa's death.
After his divorce from his first wife, Faye Maltese, in 1986, Gene Hackman found love again when he met Betsy Arakawa at a gym in the 1980s. At the time, the then-25-year-old Hawaii native was working part-time at the fitness center while pursuing a career in classical music.
As their relationship developed, The French Connection actor tried to avoid rumors swirling by clarifying he did not leave Maltese for Arakawa.
"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," he told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
1989: Hackman and Arakawa Live 'a Quiet Life'
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead on February 26.
The New York Times released a profile in 1989, saying Hackman had been "living quietly" with the former classical pianist "for the last five years."
1990: The Couple Move Into a New Mexico Home
His family previously believed he and his wife may have inhaled toxic fumes before their deaths.
In Architectural Digest's April 1990 issue, architect Stephen Samuelson said Arakawa was involved in building the home by consulting with Hackman over the phone while he was away filming.
The movie star later told the Irish Independent: "Where we live, in Santa Fe, you can lead your own life and not be bothered by the latest gossip."
The same year, he underwent angioplasty after he suffered a congestive heart failure. Hackman later revealed the health concern was one of the reasons behind his decision to retire from acting.
The Unforgiven actor told Reuters in 2008, "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I'm not going to act any longer. I really don't want to do it any longer."
1991: Hackman and Arakawa Tie the Knot
The pair's death is now labeled as 'suspicious.'
Five years after his split from Maltese, Hackman married Arakawa in a 1991 ceremony.
1999: Fur Parents
The sheriff stated there was no obvious sign of foul play.
According to The Baltimore Sun, Hackman and Arakawa adopted a German Shepherd named Gene, one of the two stray dogs they found on the set of his film The Replacements. The other dog, which they brought to a local shelter, was named Keanu after his co-star Keanu Reeves.
2003: Golden Globes Apperance
The autopsy and toxicology will reportedly determine the cause of their deaths.
Hackman and Arakawa made their last awards show appearance at the 2003 Golden Globes, where he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment." The late Robin Williams and British actor Michael Caine presented the recognition to the Superman star.
Following the ceremony, Hackman starred in his final film, Welcome to Mooseport, in 2004.
"The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," he said of his retirement in a 2009 interview with Empire. "The doctor advised me that my heart wasn't in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress."
Hackman added: "It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen. I think of myself, and feel like I'm quite young, and then I look at this old man with the baggy chins and the tired eyes and the receding hairline and all that."
2009: Hackman Shares Insights Into His Post-Retirement Life
Hackman's family expressed their devastation in a statement following his death.
In the same 2009 interview with Empire, Hackman spoke candidly about his post-retirement life with Arakawa.
"We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce," he said, revealing they regularly watched DVDs together and enjoyed a Comedy Channel marathon every Friday night.
2014: Hackman Gushes Over Arakawa
Two dogs were found alive inside Hackman's home, but 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix Zinna was discovered dead in a locked kennel.
Reflecting on his work as a writer, he opened up about how his wife helped him hone his writing skills.
"If in fact I have a style, it came from repeated edits, friends' suggestions, and my wife's unwavering, specific read-throughs," he said during a 2014 appearance on the Writer's Bone podcast.
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March 2024: A Rare Public Appearance
Hackman was discovered dead in the mud room of his house, while his wife was discovered lifeless on their bathroom floor.
On March 28, 2024, Hackman and his wife were last photographed together while out to dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe.
At the time, a source told the National Enquirer that the Bonnie and Clyde star "looked a little grizzled, but in good shape."
February 2025: Hackman and Arakawa Found Dead
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead inside their Santa Fe home last week and their deaths have now been linked to a 'compassion suicide' theory.
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26 along with their dog. According to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, there was no sign of a struggle at the scene, but "the exact cause of death has not been determined at this time."
"The autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology," the sheriff told reporters during a February 27 news conference.
He added: "We want to make sure that we get the investigation completed properly. And we want to release the proper information."
