Gene Hackman’s close friend has revealed that the late actor believed his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was the reason he lived longer than expected. 

According to Tom Allin, a friend who shared a two-decade-long friendship with Hackman, 

the actor often expressed how he would have likely passed away “long ago” if not for the care and attention provided by Arakawa, a classical pianist.

“She was very protective of him,” Allin said in an interview with The New York Times, referring to Arakawa’s dedicated role as Hackman’s caretaker. 

Arakawa, who had been the sole person looking after Hackman in his later years, played an essential role in managing his health, 

particularly ensuring he adhered to a strict diet. Allin recalled a specific moment from Hackman’s 90th birthday celebration in January 2020, 

when Arakawa was seen mixing soda water into Hackman’s wine, a sign of her care for his well-being.

The couple, who lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, were discovered by maintenance workers on February 26 after being unreachable for some time. At the time of their passing, Hackman was 95 years old, and Arakawa was 65. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have since come to light, with officials confirming that Hackman died from heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s contributing to his condition.

Hackman had long been in poor health, and his declining condition was noticeable to those close to him. In 2023, Hackman, who had previously cooked dinner for Arakawa on her birthday, forgot the tradition, further indicating his deteriorating health. According to Santa Fe Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell, Hackman’s pacemaker data showed he likely passed away on February 18, a week after his wife’s death.

Betsy Arakawa tragically passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially deadly illness transmitted by rodent feces. The illness attacks the lungs and causes flu-like symptoms. Hantavirus is not contagious from person to person, and Arakawa’s last known outing was to a market on February 11, where she was seen wearing a face mask, as she was cautious about exposing Hackman to any potential illnesses.

Despite Hackman’s own serious health struggles, including Alzheimer’s and heart disease, he was often unaware of his wife’s passing, likely due to the advanced stages of his condition. There were no indications that anyone else cared for him in his final days. The couple had grown increasingly insular in recent years, according to their close friends, Barbara and Daniel Lenihan, who shared that it became more difficult for the couple to host visitors.

Hackman’s daughter from his previous marriage, Leslie Anne Allen, expressed her gratitude for Arakawa’s care, saying that Betsy had been instrumental in keeping her father alive during his later years. “They had a wonderful marriage. I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive,” Leslie Anne said. She continued, “Betsy took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health.”

While Hackman’s passing has left those who knew him heartbroken, many have expressed their deep appreciation for the care and devotion Arakawa showed her husband in his final years. Her commitment to Hackman’s well-being undoubtedly allowed the actor to live longer than expected, and for this, she will be remembered fondly by those who were close to the couple.

As the community mourns the loss of both Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, friends and family members are reflecting on their close-knit bond and the extraordinary love that sustained them through the years. Hackman’s legacy as an iconic actor will remain intact, but those who knew him best will also remember the couple’s quiet, insular life and the devotion Betsy Arakawa showed in caring for her husband during his final years.

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