Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Look Back at Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's 34-Year Marriage in Photos The actor and his wife of over 30 years were both found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26 By Brendan Le Brendan Le Brendan Le is an Editorial Assistant at PEOPLE with three years of experience working as an editor and writer. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 27, 2025 04:36PM EST Comments Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in September 1991. Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa had a tremendous amount of love for each other. The Oscar winner and his wife, a classical pianist, were found dead at their home in 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, and causes of death are still being investigated. According to The New 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 he retired from acting in 2004. Hackman gave a glimpse into his marriage later in life in a 2020 interview with Empire, 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. 01 of 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. 02 of 14 By the Ring Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in June 1998. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Hackman and Arakawa were boxing fans, attending Mike Tyson's fight against Michael Spinks in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 03 of 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. 04 of 14 Look Over There! Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1989. AP Photo/Lutz Schmidt While in Berlin for Hackman's movie Baggage, the couple took a tourist trip to the Berlin Wall. 05 of 14 Art for Actors Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in September 1991. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Arakawa and Hackman stopped by a celebrity art show benefit at a restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, in 1991. 06 of 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. 07 of 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. 08 of 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. 09 of 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. 10 of 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. 11 of 14 Take a Bow-tie Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in March 1994. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty They also attended the People's Choice Awards in March 1994... 12 of 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. 13 of 14 Patterns Aplenty Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in 2000. 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. 14 of 14 Red Carpet Return Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman in January 2003. Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage The two hit the red carpet again nearly a decade later for the Golden Globes in 2003, where Hackman was honored with the Cecil 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 hometown dining out and seeing friends. Leave a Comment Close