Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed doing things together before their deaths. Their bodies were discovered in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26th, and authorities speculate that they may have been dead about a week before then.
From pictures and testimonies of friends and families, it is evident that both Hackman and Betsy were close in their lifetime and had a similar interest in flying. Andy Wells, a retired military pilot who met the couple in 1987, shared in detail some of their interactions when he was their flight instructor.
Gene Hackman loved airplanes – and it was a hobby he indulged in with his wife
In 1987, Gene Hackman had a pilot’s license but had never flown regularly or up high in the mountains. Then Andy became his flight instructor to refresh what he had already known. This came easy for Hackman, who had already been used to the system, and both men became partners who flew together.
Soon, Andy noticed that Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy, was also interested in flying, and he became her instructor as well. She wanted to master some simple skills to fill in for her husband in case of an emergency. Hackman and Betsy then decided she would get a “pinch hitter course,” an emergency training for non-pilots to learn how to fly if the pilot cannot do so.
Andy shared that Hackman was an excellent commercial pilot, eager to get it right again. But Gene Hackman’s love for airplanes was contagious. Betsy was focused on her training and ensured that she completed the course even though some learners rarely finished it. The couple became great friends with retired pilot Andy Wells and did more than fly airplanes together.
Family friends made memories with him
Gene Hackman and Andy Wells met each other occasionally in Santa Fe without planning it, and they soon joined a swim and tennis club. They played tennis, made memories, and bonded over cookies and wine at his home. Andy recalled that Hackman only took juice and water instead of alcoholic drinks.
As family friends, Andy was thrilled to watch professional pianist Betsy Arakawa play his piano, even though he was an amateur. He admired her skill, gentle nature, and how she and Hackman seemed “joined at the hip practically.”