Gene Hackman's $80M Estate Faces Legal Disputes Over Unpaid Debts And Family Feud

News18

12-07-2025

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Gene Hackman's death is unexplained, and his $80 million estate caused family tension as his kids were left out of the will.
Months after the unexpected deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, the late Hollywood star's $80 million estate is now facing financial and legal complications. New court filings have revealed that Hackman had nearly $100,000 in unpaid credit card debt at the time of his death, and banks are now seeking repayment from the estate.
According to documents obtained by Us Weekly, Hackman owed $98,345.29 to Citibank, while Arakawa had a separate outstanding balance of $4,329.75 with Bank of America. Both passed away earlier this year under mysterious circumstances at their New Mexico home. Their deaths are still under investigation, and no official cause has been confirmed in Hackman's case.
Hackman, who was 95, had reportedly been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and heart problems. His wife is believed to have died days before him due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness transmitted by rodent exposure. One of their dogs was also found dead at the scene. Authorities discovered the couple in early January after neighbours grew concerned about their sudden absence and contacted emergency services. When first responders arrived, Betsy Arakawa's body was already in a state of decomposition.
Though the debts are relatively minor compared to the value of Hackman's estate, the situation has raised further complications, particularly around inheritance. The couple reportedly did not have time to resolve their financial affairs before their passing, leading to creditors now filing claims against the estate.
Hackman had appointed his wife as the sole beneficiary and successor trustee of his estate in a will drafted back in 2005. That document had not been updated since.
Hackman's three adult children, Christopher Allen Hackman, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, and Leslie Anne Hackman, were not named in the will. The children later issued a statement expressing their grief, though it's known that their relationship with their father had been distant for years.
Reports suggest that Gene Hackman had designated his wife, Betsy Arakawa, to take control of his trust after his death. In the event of her death, Michael G. Sutin was meant to oversee it. However, Sutin passed away in 2019, and no updates were made to the trust following his death. At present, it remains unclear whether Hackman's three children from his first marriage — Christopher Allen, Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Jean — were included in his will. But a source had revealed that Christopher has already enlisted the services of renowned California lawyer Andrew M. Katzenstein.
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