Gene Hackman would have died 'long ago' without the care of wife Betsy, claims late actor's pal

Gene Hackman’s wife took great care of her husband in his declining years according to friends of the couple.

According to Tom Allin, a close friend, the Oscar winner once mentioned that he believes he would have passed away a long time ago if his wife Betsy Arakawa hadn’t been there to look after him.

Allin stated to The New York Times that she was very watchful over him, and the actor from Unforgiven seemed at ease with his wife taking charge.

Throughout their friendship of over 20 years, Allin mentioned that Arakawa was the one who organized her husband’s golf outings and get-togethers with friends through emails or phone calls since Hackman didn’t show much interest in technology.

He also recalled Arakawa, a classically trained pianist from Hawaii, mixing soda water into Hackman’s wine and made sure The French Connection star ate healthfully.

‘She just really looked after him,’ Allin said.

Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa,  took great care of her husband in his declining years according to friends of the couple   (Pictured in Beverly Hills in January 2003)

Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa,  took great care of her husband in his declining years according to friends of the couple   (Pictured in Beverly Hills in January 2003)

The actor, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26. 

Autopsies on the couple, who were married for some 34 years, determined that Arakawa died first on February 11, of hantavirus, a caused by exposure to rodent feces. 

The medical examiner believes the Under Suspicion star, who had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, died about a week later, on February 18. 

The couple did not appear to have a anyone to assist Arakawa in her caretaking duties for her ailing husband. 

The couple met at a fitness center in Los Angeles where Arakawa was working part-time and refused to let the actor in after he forgot his entry card. 

They married in 1991, and did not let the 30 year age gap bother them. 

‘That part never came to mind because they seemed equal in so many ways,’ family friend Susan Contreras told the publication.

Speaking of Arakawa, Contreras contended, ‘She was a personality unto herself.’ 

Family friend Tom Allin told The New York Times that Hackman once said he would have died 'long ago' if wife Betsy Arakawa had not been there to take care of him   (Pictured in Rancho Mirage, CA in November 1991)

Family friend Tom Allin told The New York Times that Hackman once said he would have died ‘long ago’ if wife Betsy Arakawa had not been there to take care of him   (Pictured in Rancho Mirage, CA in November 1991)

Allin said Hackman was not interested in technology, so Arakawa would take care of scheduling his golf dates and visits with friends

Allin said Hackman was not interested in technology, so Arakawa would take care of scheduling his golf dates and visits with friends   

The medical examiner ruled that Arakawa, 65, died of Hantavirus, on February 11.  Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer's disease, was believed to have passed away on February 18 at age 95   (Pictured in Beverly Hills in November 1992)

The medical examiner ruled that Arakawa, 65, died of Hantavirus, on February 11.  Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, was believed to have passed away on February 18 at age 95   (Pictured in Beverly Hills in November 1992)

Friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan told People the couple were ‘essentially kind of homebound’ due to Hackman’s Alzheimer’s. 

They revealed Arakawa tried to keep him busy with activities such as puzzles and doing yoga classes via Zoom. 

‘They seemed like real life partners, really, really close to each other, and they were both incredibly kind,’ the Lenihan’s son Aaron told the outlet. 

‘They were reserved, but they were real, [and] a lot of fun.’ 

You May Also Like
Nevada girl, 7, killed in Lake Tahoe ski resort boulder accident: police

Tragic Accident: 7-Year-Old Girl Dies in Boulder Incident at Lake Tahoe Ski Resort, Confirm Police

A 7-year-old Nevada girl died after being struck by a falling boulder…
South Carolina deaths of former Bloomberg executive, wife and daughter leave neighbors perplexed

Former Bloomberg Executive, Wife, and Daughter’s Deaths in South Carolina Leave Neighbors Confused

The neighbors of a South Carolina family found dead in their home…
President Donald Trump news today: Financial experts raising concerns about consumer protections, costs in current administration

Concerns Raised by Financial Experts about Consumer Protections and Costs in the Current Trump Administration

CHICAGO (WLS) — Financial experts are raising concerns about consumer protections and…
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains

Tourist goes missing after leaving Utah airport to hike in mountains

Authorities in Utah are searching for a missing tourist visiting from Finland…
Cory Booker's 'bizarre' anti-Trump stunt hits 24 HOURS straight and could break records

Cory Booker’s 24-Hour Anti-Trump Project May Set Records

Cory Booker, a Democratic Senator, conducted an overnight session on the Senate…
Bodycam in Connecticut house of horrors shows suspect after stepson's fiery escape

Footage from body camera in Connecticut reveals suspect following stepson’s escape from burning house.

Bodycam video from the Waterbury Police Department captures Kimberly Sullivan, the suspected…
'Park bench Karens' accuse pregnant mom of disrespecting THEIR special spot in expletive-laden tirade

‘Women on Park Benches’ accuse pregnant mother of disrespecting THEIR spot in angry outburst

A pregnant mother was left humiliated when two ‘Karens’ mercilessly berated her,…
'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' brings back legendary bounty hunter and former Sith assassin 

‘Revisit the Legendary Bounty Hunter in “Star Wars: Stories from the Underworld”‘

LOS ANGELES — Are you a fan of Star Wars and looking…
Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, suspect in fatal Madera Walgreens shooting of Erick Velasquez, had 'grudge' against pharmacies: police

Police: Suspect in deadly Madera Walgreens shooting had a personal vendetta against pharmacies

MADERA, Calif. — A man walked into a Walgreens in California and…
Karen Schepers case: Family thanks community for help in solving 1983 Elgin cold case: 'Miracles do happen'

The Schepers Family Expresses Gratitude to Community for Solving 1983 Elgin Cold Case

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — The family of Karen Schepers is speaking out…
Canada stares down consequences of Trump tariff war: Job losses, grocery price hikes, possible recession

Canada faces challenges from Trump’s tariffs: potential job cuts, higher food prices, and economic downturn

Canada is preparing for the consequences of President Donald Trump’s escalating trade…
California man to plead guilty to attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh

California Man Admits to Trying to Assassinate Justice Kavanaugh

The man accused of planning to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh…