The sprawling Santa Fe ranch belonging to the late Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has been listed for sale at $6.25 million, just over a year after his death. The property, a Southwestern-style four-bedroom compound, is situated on a picturesque hill within a gated community and boasts sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains.
A Property with a Celebrity Pedigree
According to a real estate agent from Coldwell Banker who spoke to the Daily Mail, the celebrity connection is likely to drive significant interest and could even push the final sale price above the asking amount. "The home is big, stylish and has great bones so there will be interest," the agent stated, adding, "Even though two people passed away in the house, there will still be plenty of offers." The agent emphasised that a celebrity link to a property typically increases its market value.
The home, located on Old Sunset Trail in the Hyde Park area, sits on six acres. It was extensively remodelled in 1990 and was once featured in Architectural Digest. The area is known as a retreat for artists and celebrities seeking privacy.
The Tragic Events of February 2025
Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead inside the home on February 26, 2025. Police body camera footage, later released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, showed a heartbroken German shepherd watching over the couple's bodies as deputies entered.
Investigative records revealed that Arakawa had been researching flu-like symptoms and COVID-19 information in the days before her death. In an email to her masseuse, she noted that Hackman had woken up with cold-like symptoms on February 11. The chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, later ruled that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease spread by infected rodents. Hackman died approximately a week later from heart disease, with complications from Alzheimer's disease contributing.
An environmental assessment found rodent feces in several outbuildings on the property, though the interior of the main house was clean. This was the first confirmed case of hantavirus in New Mexico that year.
Estate Sale and Lasting Legacy
When discovered, the home was described as cluttered with clothing, boxes, diapers, and dog cages. Despite this, the property is considered highly desirable due to its location, size, and views. The sale is being handled by Hackman's estate.
Gene Hackman enjoyed a celebrated film career spanning decades, winning two Academy Awards for The French Connection (1972) and Unforgiven (1992). He retired from acting in the early 2000s. Betsy Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was an artist and former vice president of a Santa Fe home decor store. The couple met in the mid-1980s and had lived in Santa Fe since the end of that decade.
