Betsy Arakawa was an accomplished American classical pianist who was married to actor Gene Hackman. Tragically, both Arakawa and Hackman were discovered deceased in their home on February 26, 2025.
Betsy Arakawa Bio Details
Full name: Betsy Machiko Arakawa
Birthdate: December 15, 1959
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Died: February 2025 (aged 65)
Place of death: Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Education: University of Southern California (BA) & St. John’s College (MA)
Occupation: Classical pianist
Husband: Gene Hackman
Childhood & Education
Betsy Arakawa, of Japanese heritage, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 15, 1959. Her exceptional musical talents were evident from a young age, and she began studying piano at Kahala Elementary School.
By the time she was eleven, she had already graced the stage of the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall. From 1981 to 1983, Arakawa attended the University of Southern California.
While on a summer break, she was a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Aztecs, a pro soccer team, and also worked as a production assistant on the TV game show Card Sharks.
Career
In Forest Park, Illinois, in 1989, Arakawa gave a performance at the Altenheim Geriatric Center, which was featured as a German nursing home in The Package, a movie that starred her future spouse, Gene Hackman.
In 2001, Barbara Lenihan and Arakawa joined forces to establish Pandora’s, a retail store specializing in linens and home decor located in Santa Fe.
Husband
Betsy Arakawa and Hackman first crossed paths in the 1980s when she was working part-time at a fitness center in Los Angeles. They had a seven-year courtship before tying the knot on December 1, 1991.
Following their marriage, Betsy stopped her concert performances. Rumors circulated that Hackman had left his ex-wife, Faye Maltese, for Betsy, but in a recent interview in 2021, he denied these claims.
Cause of Death
On February 26, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman, and one of their three dogs were discovered deceased in their residence.
Arakawa was found near a portable heater in the bathroom, along with a prescription bottle and pills scattered on the countertop nearby.
While foul play was initially dismissed by authorities, they soon changed their stance and deemed the deaths “suspicious,” launching an investigation.
