The $80 Million Question: How Many Children Did Gene Hackman Have, And Why Were They Excluded From His Will?

The legendary two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman, had three children from his first marriage: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. While the number itself is straightforward, the relationship between the acclaimed actor and his offspring, particularly in his final years, was anything but simple, culminating in a shocking legal battle that has only recently come to light. As of this current date, December 13, 2025, the details surrounding his passing and the subsequent unveiling of his last will and testament have become a major point of contention, pitting the actor's surviving son against the estate.

The controversy stems from the actor's reported $80 million fortune, which, according to multiple reports following his and his wife's passing in February 2025, was allegedly left entirely to his second wife, Betsy Arakawa, with no provision for his three children. This decision has sparked intense curiosity and speculation among fans and the public, leading to a legal challenge that seeks to unravel the late star's final wishes and the dynamics of the Hackman family.

Gene Hackman: A Full Biography and Profile

Eugene Allen Hackman, known universally as Gene Hackman, established himself as one of the most respected and versatile actors in cinema history, with a career spanning over four decades and encompassing more than 80 films. His presence on screen was defined by a rugged authenticity and an ability to inhabit complex, often morally ambiguous characters.

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• Full Name: Eugene Allen Hackman
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1930
• Place of Birth: San Bernardino, California, U.S.
• Died: February 2025 (aged 95)
• Cause of Death: Not officially confirmed, but reported to have passed away alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
• Education: Pasadena Playhouse, U.S. Marine Corps (enlisted at age 16)
• Spouses: Faye Maltese (m. 1956; div. 1986); Betsy Arakawa (m. 1991; died 2025)
• Children: Three (Christopher Allen, Elizabeth, and Leslie Anne)
• Notable Films: The French Connection (Oscar winner for Best Actor), Unforgiven (Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor), Mississippi Burning, The Royal Tenenbaums, Superman, Hoosiers.
• Retirement: Retired from acting in 2004, focusing on writing historical fiction novels.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $80 million at the time of his passing.

Hackman's career was marked by a commitment to the craft, earning him two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes. His retirement in 2004, following the film Welcome to Mooseport, marked a quiet end to a monumental Hollywood era, as he retreated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his second wife to pursue his passion for writing.

The Three Children of Gene Hackman and Faye Maltese

All three of Gene Hackman’s children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—were born during his first long marriage to Faye Maltese. Hackman married Maltese in 1956, years before his breakthrough role in Bonnie and Clyde, and they remained together for 30 years before their divorce in 1986.

The lives of the Hackman children have largely been kept out of the Hollywood spotlight, a reflection of the actor's own famously private nature. Unlike many celebrity children, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie have maintained relatively low public profiles, with details about their professional lives being scarce.

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Christopher Allen Hackman (Born 1959)

Christopher is the eldest of the three children. Born in 1959, he is the most publicly visible of the siblings, primarily due to the recent legal action he has taken against his father's estate. Reports indicate that Christopher is the one who has "lawyered up" to challenge the will, which allegedly left the entire $80 million fortune to Betsy Arakawa.

Elizabeth Hackman (Born 1962)

Elizabeth is the middle child, born in 1962. She has kept a very private life, and little information is publicly available about her career or personal endeavors. The Hackman family, in general, has been successful in maintaining their distance from the media circus that often follows celebrity families.

Leslie Anne Hackman (Born 1966)

Leslie is the youngest of the three, born in 1966. Similar to her sister, Elizabeth, Leslie Anne Hackman has maintained a private existence. The children’s mother, Faye Maltese, also largely disappeared from the public eye after her divorce from the star, further protecting the privacy of the children.

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The Shocking Will Controversy: Excluded from the $80 Million Fortune

The most recent and sensational news concerning Gene Hackman's family revolves around his death and the subsequent reading of his will. The actor, who had been living a quiet life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, reportedly passed away in February 2025 at the age of 95, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The details of his final testament have become the epicenter of a major legal dispute. Hackman's estate, estimated to be worth around $80 million, was allegedly bequeathed entirely to his second wife, Betsy Arakawa, with no mention of his three children—Christopher, Elizabeth, or Leslie.

The Disinheritance and Legal Challenge

The decision to exclude his biological children from the will has stunned the public and, more importantly, the Hackman family. Christopher Allen Hackman, the actor's son, is reportedly leading the charge to challenge the will in court.

• The Beneficiary: Betsy Arakawa, Hackman's wife since 1991, was named the sole successor to the fortune.
• The Exclusion: None of his three biological children were named as beneficiaries.
• The Legal Fight: Christopher Hackman has retained legal counsel to contest the validity of the will, suggesting a potential rift or misunderstanding in the actor’s final years.

This development is particularly notable because, despite the divorce from Faye Maltese, some sources suggested that the children maintained a relatively close relationship with their father, and even with his second wife, Betsy Arakawa. The will's contents, however, paint a different picture of the family's final dynamics, suggesting a complex and perhaps strained relationship between the Hollywood legend and his offspring.

The Private Life of Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman was always fiercely protective of his private life, which makes the public nature of the will controversy all the more surprising. His retirement was a deliberate step away from the media, choosing the solitude of Santa Fe and his writing career over the constant scrutiny of Hollywood. His children’s desire for privacy has been respected for decades, but the current legal proceedings have thrust the family back into the spotlight, forcing a public examination of the final years of the esteemed actor's life and the true nature of his relationship with his son and daughters. The ongoing challenge to the will promises to be a drawn-out affair, revealing further details about the personal life of one of cinema's most private stars.