Jean Hackman He was an American actor who gained fame following his role in 1967. Bonnie and Clydehe was nominated for his first Academy Award. After over 40 years in the business, Jean unofficially retired from business in 2004 after filling his resume with 100 roles and two Academy Awards. Reuters 2008. “I haven’t been told I don’t want to do it anymore just in case there’s something really great about it over the last few years.”
However, following his Irish exit, he ends up writing another art: novels. “In fact, I like the loneliness of it. It’s similar to acting in some ways, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say,” he explained. “There’s always a compromise in acting and film. You work with so many people and everyone has an opinion. …I don’t know that I like it more than acting, it’s just different. I think it’s relaxing and comforting.”
He was grateful for the “solitude” of writing, but Gene was far from alone. He enjoyed his wife and union for over 30 years, Betsia Kawa. However, their lives were shortened in February 2025 when their spouse and dog were found dead in a New Mexico home.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about their relationship, and Jean’s previous marriage with his first wife, Feimalta.
Who is Betsy Arakawa?
Betsie Arakawa was a retired classic pianist. She was born in Hawaii and was 63 years old when she passed away, according to the Associated Press.
Gene and Betsy are rarely seen in public, and according to those close to the sweet couple, they enjoyed a modest life away from the spotlight at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “He’s in good health, he’s still on the bike, he’s a yard worker and he’s a great handyman,” the insider said. Closer than every week 2020.
How did Jean and Betsy meet?

The Golden Globe-winning actor and musician met at a fitness center in Los Angeles. Closer than every week. Divorce from Jean’s first wife; Feimaltawhen they met, it was still pending. Their marriage continued from 1956 to 1986. Gene and Betsy reportedly began dating in 1984 and walked the aisle in 1991.
Jean said Empire In 2020, he and Betsy loved watching DVDs together. “We like simple stories produced by some of the small, low-budget films,” he said. “Friday nights are set aside for the Comedy Channel Marathon, with attention being paid to Eddiezard in particular. “He’s amazing how fast he thinks.”
Do Jean and Betsy have children?
Gene and Betsy have no biological children, but Gene had Fay and three children. Leslie Anne, Elizabeth Jeanand Christopher Allen. He previously admitted that he was not always the current parent for his work. “I lost contact with my son early on in terms of advice,” he said. GQ Magazine from 2011. “Maybe it had something to do with making location films at a time when he needed support and guidance. It was very difficult for me to go home and start a boss around him after three months.”
Jean’s ex-wife Feymarta
Jean married his first wife from 1956 to 1986. Jean is South Florida Sun Sentinel In 1985 he did not “leave” Faye for Betsy. “By the way, I didn’t leave my real-life wife for the young woman. We just drifted away,” the actor said. “We’ve lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a lot of work and love.”
As mentioned before, Jean and Fay had three children together before they divorced. Sadly, Faye passed away on April 26, 2017 at the age of 88.
How did Jean and Betsy die?
The genes and the cause of Betsy’s death have finally been revealed. According to several outlets, Betsy’s cause of death was Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. A press conference on March 7, 2025 said surveillance footage suggested he died on February 11th.
As for genes, he is believed to have passed away on February 18th from hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease was listed as a contributing factor. Medical investigators say the disease is progressing and “it’s very likely he didn’t know that (Betsy) had passed away.”
(TagStoTRASSLATE) Gene Hackman