Gene Hackman's Publicist Details His Private Final Years
spent his final years surrounded by peace and love.
More than a month after The French Connection star and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home alongside one of their dogs, the actor's publicist Susan Madore shared a glimpse into how he spent his final years.
During the 27 years of working for the legendary actor, Susan saw him move to Santa Fe in the '90s to lead 'an artistic life' outside of the spotlight. Indeed, he even went as far as buying a plot of land next to a garbage dump to go on peaceful bike rides without any disturbances.
'He wanted the privacy of being able to ride his bike without anyone following him or observing him,' Susan said during a March 31 hearing over the public release of investigative records into his death, per Rolling Stone, adding that Betsy had called her personally after the real estate purchase because, 'she wanted me to be aware if anyone called asking why Mr. Hackman lived at the dump.'
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And beyond having a serene escape, Susan also recalled that Gene would only agree to two hours of publicity for each film he was involved in. But in moving his priorities away from the Hollywood lights, the Unforgivenstar had more time to spend with his friends and his wife of over 30 years. And some of those friends have since shared insight into the late couple's loving marriage.
"He was a gentle giant, very calm,' Kevin Bobolosky said of Gene in the March 18 documentary Last Days of Gene Hackman: ABC News Special. 'Betsy, I think, mostly did all the cooking and cleaning on this big estate out of love. She just adored him. So they had everything they wanted."
Following their deaths, Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza stated that Betsy's official cause of death at 65 was hantavirus—a pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents.
One week after her death, the cause of Gene's death at 95 was ruled as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease being a contributing factor.
But according to the couple's friends, it was likely that Betsy, who was Gene's main caretaker, was not aware of how severe her illness was.
'I'm sure if Betsy knew how sick she was, she would've had some backup help,' their pal Stephen Marshall said in the documentary. 'She probably thought she was going to get better. She wasn't worried about herself. She was worried about taking care of Gene.'
Indeed, it was apparent to many just how much Betsy cared for the Hoosiers actor.
'She was very protective of him,' Gene's friend Tim Allin told The New York Times last month, adding that Gene often said that without Betsy, he likely would've died 'long ago.'
For more on the tragic deaths of Gene and Betsy, keep reading.
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead Feb. 26, 2025Gene Hackman Death Deemed "Suspicious Enough" to Conduct InvestigationItems of Interest Found in Gene Hackman's HomeA Timeline Slowly Comes Into FocusGene Hackman's Family Speaks OutInside Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Private Life in Santa FeCarbon Monoxide Poisoning, Gas Leak Ruled OutCause of Death Determined for Gene Hackman, Betsy ArakawaHeartbreaking Death Timeline RevealedWhy Gene Hackman Couldn't Live Without His WifeUnexpected Timeline Twist
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