Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in September 1991.Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Gene HackmanandBetsy Arakawahad a tremendous amount of love for each other.TheOscarwinner andhis wife, a classical pianist,were found dead at their homein Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Hackman was 95, and Arakawa was 64.A spokesperson for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office told PEOPLE that deputies were dispatched to a home in Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Hackman, Arakawa and one of their three dogs were found dead. At the time, foul play is not suspected, andcauses of death are still being investigated.According toTheNew York Times, Hackman met Arakawa when she was working part-time at a gym in Los Angeles and pursuing a career in classical music. By 1990, they shared a home in Santa Fe and wed the following year. Although the couple lived a relatively private life, Hackman often brought Arakawa to premieres until heretired from actingin 2004.Hackman gave a glimpse into his marriage later in lifein a 2020 interview withEmpire,saying the two of them enjoyed watching “DVDs that my wife rents; we like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce" and reserving Friday night to watch stand-up comedy together.Look back at some of their happy moments in the public eye.
Gene HackmanandBetsy Arakawahad a tremendous amount of love for each other.
TheOscarwinner andhis wife, a classical pianist,were found dead at their homein Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Hackman was 95, and Arakawa was 64.
A spokesperson for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office told PEOPLE that deputies were dispatched to a home in Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Hackman, Arakawa and one of their three dogs were found dead. At the time, foul play is not suspected, andcauses of death are still being investigated.
According toTheNew York Times, Hackman met Arakawa when she was working part-time at a gym in Los Angeles and pursuing a career in classical music. By 1990, they shared a home in Santa Fe and wed the following year. Although the couple lived a relatively private life, Hackman often brought Arakawa to premieres until heretired from actingin 2004.
Hackman gave a glimpse into his marriage later in lifein a 2020 interview withEmpire,saying the two of them enjoyed watching “DVDs that my wife rents; we like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce" and reserving Friday night to watch stand-up comedy together.
Look back at some of their happy moments in the public eye.
01of 14L.A. LoveBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in 1986.Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyThey’ve been happily together since 1986, seen here smiling for a photo in Los Angeles.
01of 14
L.A. Love
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in 1986.Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
They’ve been happily together since 1986, seen here smiling for a photo in Los Angeles.
02of 14By the RingBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in June 1998.Ron Galella Collection via GettyHackman and Arakawa were boxing fans, attendingMike Tyson’s fight against Michael Spinks in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
02of 14
By the Ring
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in June 1998.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Hackman and Arakawa were boxing fans, attendingMike Tyson’s fight against Michael Spinks in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
03of 14Match MadeBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1988.Ron Galella Collection via GettyLater that year, they watched Sugar Ray Leonard take on Donny LaLonde at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
03of 14
Match Made
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1988.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Later that year, they watched Sugar Ray Leonard take on Donny LaLonde at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
04of 14Look Over There!Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1989.AP Photo/Lutz SchmidtWhile in Berlin for Hackman’s movieBaggage, the couple took a tourist trip to the Berlin Wall.
04of 14
Look Over There!
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1989.AP Photo/Lutz Schmidt
AP Photo/Lutz Schmidt
While in Berlin for Hackman’s movieBaggage, the couple took a tourist trip to the Berlin Wall.
05of 14
Art for Actors
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in September 1991.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
06of 14Sports FansBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1991.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/GettyThe couple spent a weekend at the Celebrity Sports Invitational in Rancho Mirage, California, in November 1991.
06of 14
Sports Fans
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1991.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
The couple spent a weekend at the Celebrity Sports Invitational in Rancho Mirage, California, in November 1991.
07of 14A Little Birdie Told Me…Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in November 1991.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe next day, the pair had some time on the grass to play golf.
07of 14
A Little Birdie Told Me…
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in November 1991.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
The next day, the pair had some time on the grass to play golf.
08of 14Evening GalaBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1991.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyHackman suited back up, while Arakawa glittered in a gold blouse later that night.
08of 14
Evening Gala
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in November 1991.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Hackman suited back up, while Arakawa glittered in a gold blouse later that night.
09of 14Tied to HerGene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in February 1992.Ron Galella Collection via GettyThey were no strangers to award shows, as Hackman brought his wife as his plus-one to several ceremonies, including 1992’s DW Griffith Awards.
09of 14
Tied to Her
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in February 1992.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
They were no strangers to award shows, as Hackman brought his wife as his plus-one to several ceremonies, including 1992’s DW Griffith Awards.
10of 14From Ear-to-EarGene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in November 1992.Ron Galella Collection via GettyAt a Hollywood Foreign Press conference in Beverly Hills, California, the couple was all smiles during their date night.
10of 14
From Ear-to-Ear
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in November 1992.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
At a Hollywood Foreign Press conference in Beverly Hills, California, the couple was all smiles during their date night.
11of 14Take a Bow-tieBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1994.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/GettyThey also attended thePeople’s Choice Awardsin March 1994…
11of 14
Take a Bow-tie
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1994.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
They also attended thePeople’s Choice Awardsin March 1994…
12of 14Back in BlackBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1994.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty…and the Oscars later that month, where Hackman presented Best Supporting Actress.
12of 14
Back in Black
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1994.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
…and the Oscars later that month, where Hackman presented Best Supporting Actress.
13of 14Patterns AplentyBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in 2000.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via GettyIn 2000, Hackman held his wife close as they stepped out for the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City’s charity event.
13of 14
Patterns Aplenty
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in 2000.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty
Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty
In 2000, Hackman held his wife close as they stepped out for the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City’s charity event.
14of 14Red Carpet ReturnBetsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in January 2003.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImageThe two hit the red carpet again nearly a decade later for theGolden Globesin 2003, where Hackman was honored with theCecil B. DeMille Award.It was the last time they were pictured at an event together, as Hackman retired shortly thereafter. However,they were spotted around their Santa Fe hometowndining out and seeing friends.
14of 14
Red Carpet Return
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in January 2003.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
The two hit the red carpet again nearly a decade later for theGolden Globesin 2003, where Hackman was honored with theCecil B. DeMille Award.
It was the last time they were pictured at an event together, as Hackman retired shortly thereafter. However,they were spotted around their Santa Fe hometowndining out and seeing friends.
source: people.com
