Gene Hackman’s massive fortune is allegedly not going to his children.
The actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s wills have been revealed after their shocking deaths last month, with TMZ reporting that Hackman’s kids were not included in his.
In 1995, the Birdcage actor reportedly made Arakawa the sole beneficiary of his estate, worth $80 million ($127 million), leaving out his three children: son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth.
Hackman’s wife was supposed to get his fortune in the event of his death, which was likely to happen before her. He was 95 and she was 65.
However, they both tragically died within days of each other.
If Arakawa died first, most of her assets were reportedly supposed to go to her husband.
The documents allegedly show a provision stating that if they died within 90 days of each other, also known as a simultaneous death, all of Arakawa’s assets would go to charity.
The couple, who married in 1991, did not have a prenup. They also lived in New Mexico, which is a community property state, adding more chaos to the situation now that they are both gone.
According to TMZ, Hackman’s son has already hired a prominent California trust and estate lawyer, which is a high indicator that he’s likely to challenge the will.
The outlet also points out that collecting the The French Connection actor’s fortune isn’t completely off the table for his children as they are the most direct living heirs.
Hackman hasn’t shied away from discussing his relationship with his kids, especially Chris — the Oscar winner admitted he wasn’t present nearly enough during his son’s childhood.
The star reportedly mended those relationships over the years.
Hackman and Arakawa’s estate has already attempted to block the Santa Fe medical examiner and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office from releasing videos, photos and police bodycam footage connected to the pair’s deaths, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The petition also attempts to block anything from being released related to their autopsy and “death investigation”, noting that once the photos are out, “the bell cannot be unrung”, according to the outlet.
Arakawa and Hackman were found dead inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26. One of their three dogs was also discovered dead.
Last week, the mystery surrounding their passings was brought to light, with officials declaring Arakawa died from Hantavirus, a flu-like illness spread mainly by rodent faeces.
She was last seen on security footage on February 11, with law enforcement concluding that was likely the day she passed away, explaining why her body was in a mummified state when it was discovered.
Hackman’s was likely home with his dead wife for a week before he passed away.
Officials also revealed the actor had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s reasonable to assume he was unaware that Arakawa had perished.
“It is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Hackman died on February 18,” the medical examiner stated, citing evidence of a “cardiac event” recorded by his pacemaker.
Both Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths were determined to be from natural causes.
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission
