The world was stunned when the two-time Oscar-winning star Gene Hackman, 95, was found dead last month along with his 65 year-old wife Betsy Arakawa. After they were found, it was revealed that Arakawa actually died over a week before Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s and possibly didn’t understand the situation.
Now, it’s been revealed that Hackman left his three children out of his will, and left everything to the deceased Arakawa. This means that a massive legal battle over his $80 million fortune is likely to ensue.
Hackman’s $80 Million Fortune
Hackman left the entirety of his fortune to Arakawa in his will. However, since she died first, legal experts are saying that his three children now have a chance to contest the will.
“The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit,” California attorney Tre Lovell told the BBC.
Hackman and his ex-wife Faye Maltese were parents to Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58.
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead by maintenance workers on February 26. It was later determined that Arakawa died around February 11 from a rare virus that can be spread by vermin. Hackman was then alone in the home with her body for days. He eventually died of heart disease sometime around February 18.
“If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it would’ve been World War III,” another legal expert told Daily Mail. “His kids would’ve probably gone crazy.”
Related: Gene Hackman, 95, Was ‘Murdered,’ Hollywood Legend Randy Quaid Alleges
Hackman’s Relationship With His Children
Many were surprised that Hackman’s children didn’t bother to check up on him and Arakawa during the weeks that their bodies were undiscovered in their mansion. However, Hackman had been open in the past about his sometimes distant relationship with his children.
“You become very selfish as an actor,” Hackman said in a 1989 interview. “Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me.”
“It’s tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity,” he later added in 2000. “I couldn’t always be home with them when they were growing up, and then, living in California, they’ve had my success always hanging over their heads.”
Find out more about this in the video below.
Related: Gene Hackman’s Cause Of Death Is Finally Revealed – This Actually Explains Everything
Hackman’s Daughters Pay Tribute To Him
Hackman also admitted to having “lost touch” with Christopher because he was gone for “so much” of his son’s childhood. Perhaps that’s why Christopher has made no public comment about his father’s death. Meanwhile, it appears that Hackman maintained some sort of contact with his two daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie. They made a brief statement after his body was discovered.
“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa,” they said. “We will miss him sorely, and are devastated by the loss.”
Leslie later added that though she was “close” to her father, she had not spoken to him and Arakawa for a “few months” before their deaths.
It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to Hackman’s fortune in the weeks and months to come.
More About:Celebrity News