April 16, 2025: Veteran actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were laid to rest following a private memorial service held in Santa Fe. The intimate ceremony was attended by close family members and friends, including the couple’s three children — Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie — who came together to honor the lives and legacies of their late parents.
According to People magazine, the couple was discovered deceased in their Santa Fe Summit home on February 26. Authorities later confirmed that Betsy Arakawa had passed away due to hantavirus, a rare and potentially fatal illness that can be contracted through exposure to rodent droppings. Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, died shortly thereafter from complications related to heart disease, hypertension, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
In a tragic addition to the loss, their pet dog Zinna, a kelpie mix, was also found dead at the scene, reportedly from dehydration and starvation. However, two other dogs on the property were found alive and are currently receiving care.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa had been married since 1991 and lived a largely private life in their later years, especially after Hackman stepped away from acting in the mid-2000s. The couple’s final public appearance was in March 2024, when they were seen dining together at a local seafood restaurant in Santa Fe.
Hackman, widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, leaves behind a remarkable cinematic legacy. His notable performances in films like The French Connection, Unforgiven, Hoosiers, and The Royal Tenenbaums have earned him a lasting place in Hollywood history.
The family has requested privacy as they grieve and has not announced any public memorial at this time.