Gene Hackman lived far from the public eye, spending his later years in the Santa Fe home he painstakingly redesigned. The sprawling property, surrounded by miles of open land, was meant to be a peaceful retreat. But now, it has become the center of an investigation after a maintenance worker made a grim discovery.
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their Santa Fe home, along with one of their dogs. The couple had lived in the secluded residence for years, away from the public eye.Now, the home that once served as their private retreat has become the center of an ongoing investigation. As authorities search for answers, a single photo offers a rare glimpse into the place where they spent their final days.
Hackman spent his later years in Santa Fe, far from the Hollywood spotlight. After a career spanning five decades, he retired in 2004 at the age of 74, leaving acting behind. His departure was as understated as his career was illustrious.
There was no fanfare, no press release, and no public announcement heralding his exit from acting. Instead, the “Superman” star opted for a quiet withdrawal into private life alongside his wife. His decision to retire wasn’t precipitated by industry shenanigans or a dwindling passion for the craft.
“I was getting great offers, but the roles were mostly doddering great-grandfathers,” he said. Rather, it was a matter of health and personal well-being. Reflecting on the turning point, Hackman shared a moment that led to his retirement decision.
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” Hackman revealed. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.” Taking their warnings seriously, he never returned to acting.
In Santa Fe, he embraced a quiet and private lifestyle with his wife, Arakawa. The couple kept a low profile, avoiding public appearances and interviews. Hackman spent his days focused on personal interests, including writing novels and working on his home.
In 2020, a source shared that despite his age, he remained active — riding his bike, doing yard work, and taking on handyman projects. The home where he spent his final years was one he had extensively remodeled to match his vision.
Inside the Santa Fe Home Hackman Remodeled
Hackman’s Santa Fe home sits on 12 acres of open land, offering sweeping views that stretch as far as the Colorado mountains. Drawn to the area after filming several movies there, he purchased the property and took on extensive renovations to reshape it to his liking.
Architect Stephen Samuelson, who worked on the project, recalled the state of the house before the remodel. “The house was horrible,” he shared. “It was a 1950s block building that had sat empty and had deteriorated.”
Hackman and Arakawa wanted an open design with high ceilings, French doors, and natural light—features not typical of traditional adobe homes. To achieve this, they removed 90 percent of the roof and restructured the interior to create larger spaces.
The house’s final design blended pueblo, colonial New Mexico, and Spanish Baroque styles. “It’s more primitive, like a barn converted into a house, massive and cozy at the same time,” Samuelson said.
Hackman personally oversaw every detail of the renovation, selecting finishes, mixing paint colors himself, and ensuring that new ceiling beams were distressed to look aged.
The couple furnished the home with pieces from New York, Germany, and Los Angeles. Even in retirement, he stayed active, spending much of his time maintaining and improving the home.
Tour Gene Hackman’s beautifully rustic Santa Fe home: https://t.co/35jeHqmFks pic.twitter.com/co4UgW5oCU
— Architectural Digest (@ArchDigest) April 6, 2016