Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy, have been quietly laid to rest following a private memorial attended by close family and friends in Santa Fe.
The longtime couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe Summit home on Wednesday, February 26. Their passing marked the end of a deeply bonded partnership that had spanned over three decades.
A small, intimate gathering was recently held to honor their lives. In attendance were Hackman’s three children — son Christopher and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie — who joined others close to the couple in a quiet ceremony filled with remembrance and grief.
Authorities initially discovered Gene and Betsy alongside their dog, a kelpie mix named Zinna, who had also passed away. Two other dogs were found alive at the property.
In March, the causes behind their deaths were made public. Betsy succumbed to complications from hantavirus, a rare but deadly illness spread through contact with infected rodent droppings. Gene passed away a week later from health complications tied to advanced heart disease, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s. Investigators believe Zinna likely died due to dehydration and a lack of food.
The Hackmans, who wed in 1991, had been living away from the public eye for many years, with Gene stepping away from Hollywood after a celebrated career that earned him two Academy Awards. Their last public appearance came nearly a year before their deaths — in March 2024 — when they were seen enjoying lunch together at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. Gene was photographed gently supporting Betsy’s arm, a quiet image of enduring love in their final chapter together.
The Hackmans are now at peace, leaving behind memories cherished by family, friends, and fans around the world.
