Betsy Arakawa is an American classical pianist and businesswoman, best known as the second wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman. Born on December 15, 1959, in Hawaii, USA, Arakawa co-owns Pandora’s Inc., a home furnishings shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Arakawa married Gene Hackman in 1991 and has been supportive of his career, often accompanying him to award ceremonies. She has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
| Full Name | Betsy Machiko Arakawa |
| Date of birth | December 15, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Died | February 2025 (age 65) in Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Occupations | Classical Pianist | Businesswoman |
| Education | University of Southern California |
| Husband | Gene Hackman |
FURTHER READING – Nicholas Dunbar Wiki & Bio
Early Life and Education
Betsy Arakawa was born on December 15, 1959, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, she developed an early passion for music. Arakawa began her piano studies at a young age at Kahala Elementary School, before proceeding to the University of Southern California, where she graduated in 1983.
Career
Early Career
Arakawa worked as a production assistant on the classic television game show, ‘Card Sharks’ during her time at USC. She was also a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Aztecs, a professional soccer team that’s no longer in existence.
Career as a Pianist
As a child, Arakawa performed the final movement of Joseph Haydn’s Keyboard Concerto in G major with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra at the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall. She was aged just eleven and performed before over approximately 9,000 first and second graders.
In 1989, she performed at the Altenheim Geriatric Center in Forest Park, Illinois. Arakawa put her career on hold following her marriage to Gene Hackman in 1991.
FURTHER READING – Juanita Tolliver Wiki & Bio
Business Ventures
Beyond her musical pursuits, Betsy Arakawa is also a successful businesswoman. She co-owns Pandora’s Inc., a home furnishings shop located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Personal Life
Relationship with Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s relationship began in the mid-1980s when they met at a gym in California. At the time, Arakawa was working part-time at the gym while pursuing her career as a classical pianist. Their relationship blossomed, and they started living together by 1990. They married in 1991. Despite the age difference of over 30 years, the couple maintained a strong and supportive relationship.
Children
Gene Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986, with whom he had three children: Christopher Allen (65), Elizabeth Jean (62), and Leslie Anne (58). Betsy Arakawa (65) became their stepmother after marrying Hackman.
Life in Santa Fe
After their marriage, the couple settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived a relatively private life away from the Hollywood spotlight. Their home was designed and renovated by Arakawa. Gene Hackman often praised Arakawa’s support, especially during his transition from acting to writing. He credited her with helping him develop his writing style through her detailed feedback on his manuscripts.
Deaths
On February 26, 2025, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with their dog. Arakawa died after contracting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, likely on February 11, according to Dr. Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office. Hackman died a week later from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor, Dr Jarrell said.
Following their deaths, it was revealed that Hackman had cut his children out of his will, naming Arakawa his sole beneficiary and heir. The will, written in 2005, named his (now deceased) attorney Michael Sutin as the successor for personal representation if Arakawa passed away. Sutin died in 2019. His current attorney, Julia Peters now serves as the successor for personal representation. With the deaths of both Hackman and Arakawa, the Hackman kids could be set to inherit their father’s estate.
Arakawa also left her estate to Hackman in the event of her death as she had no named heirs.
FURTHER READING – Jim Nagy Wiki & Bio
Continue browsing our site…