Who was Betsy Arakawa? Gene Hackman's wife of 33 years
What's the story
In a tragic turn of events, double-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman (95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. The couple's dog was also discovered deceased.
The news was confirmed to portals by County Sheriff Adan Mendoza who stated there were no signs of foul play. However, the cause and time of death remain undisclosed.
Let's find out more about Arakawa.
Private life
Arakawa was a pianist; lived a private life
Arakawa (64) was a classically trained pianist and stepmother to Hackman's three children from his first marriage. Born in Hawaii in the early '60s, she pursued a career in classical music while also working in various fields.
Despite her association with Hollywood through her husband, she maintained a highly private life, avoiding social media and public appearances.
She was also involved in design, contributing to the architecture and aesthetics of their home.
Relationship history
Hackman and Arakawa's love story: A closer look
Hackman, famous for The French Connection and Superman, started dating Arakawa in the mid-1980s.
He shared with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he never abandoned his first wife, Faye Maltese, for Arakawa.
"We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other," he said about his previous marriage which lasted from 1956 to 1986.
By 1990, Hackman and Arakawa were living together in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Mutual support
Arakawa's role in Hackman's life and career
The couple first met at a California gym where Arakawa took on a part-time job while trying to make it as a classical pianist.
After their marriage in 1991, she became a stepmother to Hackman's three children from his first marriage.
In 2014, Hackman shared during a podcast interview with Writer's Bone that Arakawa had been instrumental in shaping his writing style through her "unwavering, specific read-throughs."
Home design
Arakawa's influence on Hackman's Santa Fe home
Arakawa was instrumental in designing their Santa Fe home, which was highlighted in Architectural Digest in April 1990.
The couple converted an abandoned 1950s block building into a "light and soaring" space with an open floor plan.
When Hackman was away filming, Arakawa took charge of the project, consulting with him over the phone and sending photos.
Personal life
Hackman and Arakawa's private life and rituals
Despite their public personas, Hackman and Arakawa lived a private life in Santa Fe.
"Where we live, in Santa Fe, you can lead your own life and not be bothered by the latest gossip," Hackman told the Irish Independent.
The couple lived with two German Shepherds and would watch DVDs together on Fridays.
"We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce," he told Empire.