The final home of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman has been listed for sale in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for an eye-watering $6.25 million. This comes just over a year after the tragic discovery of the actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, deceased within the property.
A Property Steeped in Hollywood History
The expansive Southwestern-style estate, which boasts six bedrooms and ten bathrooms, sits on a vast 53-acre plot within a gated community. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. The rustic dwelling was extensively renovated in 1990 and was subsequently featured in the prestigious pages of Architectural Digest that same year.
Hackman, aged 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found lifeless in the house on 26 February 2025. Police discovered their bodies a fortnight after their deaths, with Arakawa found in a bathroom and Hackman in the home's entrance hall. Tragically, one of the couple's pet dogs was also found deceased in a cage near Arakawa.
The Medical Findings Behind the Tragedy
Authorities ruled both deaths as natural causes. According to New Mexico's chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, the two-time Oscar-winning actor succumbed to heart disease complicated by Alzheimer's. His death was dated to 18 February, triggered by unusual activity on his pacemaker.
Betsy Arakawa's death was attributed to hantavirus, a rare and severe pulmonary disease transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings. An environmental survey found rodent faeces in several outbuildings on the estate, though none were detected in the main house itself.
In her final days, Arakawa conducted numerous concerning internet searches on her laptop. Records show that between 8 and 12 February, she repeatedly looked up information on flu-like symptoms, coronavirus, dizziness, and nosebleeds. On 12 February, she made several calls to a medical clinic seeking advice for "congestion" and scheduled an afternoon appointment, but she never arrived.
Estate Implications and a Complicated Legacy
The sale of the property raises questions about the inheritance of Hackman's substantial estate. In his will, the actor had excluded his three adult children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—bequeathing his entire £65 million fortune to Arakawa. However, as authorities concluded Arakawa likely died before Hackman, his children may now stand to inherit, provided no other heir is specified.
The legendary actor had been candid in the past about the strains his career placed on fatherhood, admitting to periods of estrangement from his family. His children have remained silent regarding the current situation.
It is not immediately clear who will benefit from the proceeds of the $6.25 million property sale. The listing marks the closing chapter on the Santa Fe sanctuary of one of cinema's most revered figures, a home that now holds a poignant place in Hollywood history.
