Despite leaving behind an $80 million estate, legendary actor Gene Hackman reportedly died with nearly $100,000 in unpaid credit card debt. Court documents reveal that Citibank filed a claim against Hackman’s estate on July 1, demanding $98,345.29 for an unpaid MasterCard bill, The Daily Mail reports. His late wife, Betsy Arakawa, also reportedly owed Bank of America $4,329.75 at the time of her death, bringing the total claimed debt to just over $102,000.
The shocking revelation comes months after the couple was found dead in their secluded New Mexico home in February. Arakawa, 65, is believed to have died first from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare virus transmitted through rodent droppings. Hackman, who had been quietly battling Alzheimer’s disease, died days later of complications from the illness and heart disease. A maintenance worker discovered their bodies days after their deaths, along with one of their dogs, who remained by their side.
What He Owed
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was known for his roles in “The French Connection,” “Unforgiven,” and “Hoosiers,” and was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. He retired from acting in the early 2000s.
Real estate experts estimate that the couple’s four-bedroom Southwestern-style home near Santa Fe is worth between $3.8 million and $5 million.
Adding to the estate’s legal complications is the question of inheritance. Hackman’s will, last updated in 2005, named Arakawa as the successor trustee. Since she died before him, his three adult children-Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie Hackman-may now become the beneficiaries. However, they were not named in the will, and reports suggest they were estranged from their father.
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