Legal Expert Sheds Light On Who Will Inherit Gene Hackman’s Estate

Gene Hackman died in February 2025 with a net worth of $80 million, according to Hello! The “Bonnie and Clyde” star made his millions through his prolific Hollywood career during which he appeared in over 70 films. Hackman was also a novelist, a pursuit he launched in 1999 with the release of his coming of age shipwreck story “Wake Of the Perdido Star.”

In light of the 95-year-old’s recent death at his Santa Fe home, fans wonder what will become of the thespian’s fortune.

The Future of Hackman’s Fortune Depends On Who Died First

On March 18, 2025, People reported they had information from a legal expert that could help predict what will happen to Hackman’s estate.

The report says David A. Asquibias, an attorney who specializes in trusts, told the magazine that whichever of the spouses was last to die technically inherited everything, because the pair left all their assets to eachother.

Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, left everything to the Gene Hackman Living Trust, and Hackman left everything to the classical pianist as trustee of his own living trust, the piece explains.

It is currently believed that Hackman, who was affected by advanced Alzheimer’s disease, outlived his wife by approximately a week, per ABC.

The outlet says Hackman’s wife, who was his caretaker, died of a rare respiratory illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can cause rapid death by filling the lungs with fluid.

His assets include the $3.8 million property at which the actor lived for around 40 years in Santa Fe.

Had Hackman died before Arakawa, it’s possible his entire estate could have gone to charity, as the BBC reports she made arrangements for all of her remaining money after medical bills were paid to be donated.

Gene Hackman Left Children Out Of His Will

While the “Behind Enemy Lines” star’s assets were in his trust when he and his wife were found deceased, it is not yet publicly known who will end up with them.

That’s because the actor did not name any of his three children in his will, according to a March 16 report by the Independent.

Hackman had two daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and a son, Christopher. All of them were born during his marriage to bank secretary Faye Maltese, who died in 2017. Hackman and Maltese divorced in 1986.

Christopher Hackman has retained high-powered attorney Andrew M. Katzenstein, which the outlet says may indicate he plans to make a play for his father’s assets.

At this point, the riches definitely seem to be up for grabs, because ABC legal analyst Brian Buckmire said Hackman unexpectedly outliving his wife essentially caused his will to become void.

In the meantime, the assets will most likely be in the custody of the probate court.