Gene Hackman’s $80 Million Estate Still Unresolved as Tax Issues Delay Settlement

The administration of Gene Hackman’s estimated $80 million estate remains unresolved more than a year after the Oscar-winning actor’s death, with outstanding tax matters delaying the closure of the case.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, a Santa Fe County judge recently issued a notice of inactivity after no new filings had been made in the probate case for a significant period.

In response, the estate’s personal representative, Julia L. Peters, asked the court to keep the matter open, explaining that the estate had already filed its federal estate tax return but was still awaiting the resolution of pending tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Peters took over the role of personal representative after both Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, who had originally been named in his will, and his attorney, Michael G. Sutin, died before the estate could be administered.

The court filing also confirmed that Hackman’s last will, signed on June 7, 2005, was validly executed.

Hackman’s three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese — Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie — were not appointed as personal representatives. However, attorney Gregory W. MacKenzie entered an appearance on their behalf in March 2025, and no additional filings have been recorded since.

Earlier court documents filed by Peters in August 2025 stated that she had been working to complete an inventory of Hackman’s assets and determine the value of his property.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025. Investigators later determined that Arakawa died on February 11, aged 65, from hantavirus, a rare disease spread by rodents, while Hackman died on February 18 at the age of 95.

Their bodies were discovered several days later by a maintenance worker, bringing an end to one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and private marriages.