Gene Hackman had only been spotted on a few rare appearances throughout the remainder of his life. The Royal Tenenbaums star hung up his hat on his iconic film career at the age of 74, and he died at the age of 95 in February 2025.
He and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead alongside their dog at their New Mexico home. The couple’s cause of death was revealed over a week after the couple was discovered. Betsy passed away from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome a week before Gene, who died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—or hardening of the arteries—with Alzheimer’s disease serving as a significant contributing factor.
Gene is survived by his three children, whom he shared with his ex-wife, Faye Maltese. The veteran star was married to Faye, who passed away in 2017, from 1956 until their divorce in 1986. During their marriage, they welcomed three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie Anne. Gene later married Betsy in 1991.
Following Gene and Betsy’s deaths, Gene’s will has come to light, revealing that his children are not included as beneficiaries. According to TMZ, Betsy was listed as the sole beneficiary, a decision Gene made back in 1995.
Learn all about Gene’s children below.
Christopher
Gene and Faye welcomed their first child, a son named Christopher Allen, in January 1960. While he didn’t try his hand at acting, Christopher did follow in his father’s footsteps in Hollywood by working behind the scenes. At one time, he had a career as a camera operator and camera assistant, working on movies like 1986’s Hoosiers, alongside Gene who had the starring role, and 1987’s Made in USA (1987). He also made a documentary, Chris & Don: A Love Story (2007).
With Gene as one of the top working actors of his generation, he was often away from home and missed some of his children’s childhoods, something he said he lamented to GQ. “I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on. Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at the age where he needed support and guidance,” he explained, “It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around.”
Elizabeth & Leslie Anne
Elizabeth Jean was welcomed into the world by Gene and Faye in August 1962. Her baby sister, Leslie Anne. arrived four years later in October 1966. Both daughters are very private, and little is known about them publicly.
