Gene Hackman’s first wife was by his side long before he became a Hollywood star. Unlike her husband, she was seldom seen in public. However, as his career progressed, the demands of his work created distance between them, ultimately leading to their split.

Gene Hackman and his first wife, Faye Maltese, married in 1955, years before he found success in Hollywood. They built a life together while he pursued acting, but as his career took off, the demands of his work created distance between them.

Despite raising a family, their marriage could not withstand the strain and ended in divorce in 1986. Throughout their years together, Maltese was seen twice in public, quietly supporting Hackman before their relationship came to an end.

While rumors swirled about the reasons behind their split, Hackman later admitted that his relentless pursuit of success played a major role. Later in life, he reflected on his choices and worked to repair relationships strained by his success.

Early Life, Stardom, & Career Break

Hackman’s journey began far from the bright lights of Hollywood. In a 1989 interview with The New York Times, he recalled

leaving home at 16

to join the Marine Corps. Seeking adventure, he served in China during a turbulent period before being discharged in 1952.

After returning home, he briefly studied journalism at the University of Illinois but soon dropped out. Around this time, in 1962, tragedy struck when his mother passed away. Though he rarely spoke about her death, reports indicated that she had been drinking, fell asleep with a lit cigarette, and died in the resulting fire.

Determined to build a new life, Hackman moved to New York at 21 to pursue acting. “From the time I saw my first movie as a boy, I wanted to be an actor,” Hackman

said

.

Inspired by James Cagney’s commanding on-screen presence, he took on small roles before landing his breakthrough in 1971 with “The French Connection,” where his portrayal of detective Popeye Doyle won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

“That night was like a dream,” Hackman

remarked

of his Oscar win. ”It was like I was standing in back of the theater and watching it through a lot of smoke. I just floated from my seat [sic].”

Despite his success, Hackman found himself unfulfilled by the late 1970s. “I did the poor-boy thing,” he

admitted

, explaining how he accumulated wealth, houses, and even airplanes, yet felt empty.

He temporarily stepped away from acting in 1977, retreating to Monterey, California. There, he spent four years playing tennis and painting — an old passion he had explored at the Art Students League in New York.

However, his return to acting in 1981 with “All Night Long” reignited his career and widened the emotional gap between him and his family.

How His Career Ruined His First Marriage

Hackman

met his first wife

, Faye Maltese, in 1955 at a Y.M.C.A. dance in New York. She was a bank secretary, and they quickly fell in love. In their early years, they lived modestly in a cold-water apartment before settling down and having three children — a son and two daughters.

However, as Hackman’s career advanced, his time at home became scarce. “You become very selfish as an actor,” he

confessed

. His work required long separations, often lasting three or four months at a time. His demanding career had already put a strain on his marriage.

Was His Second, Younger Wife the Reason for Divorce?

After 28 years of marriage, Hackman and Maltese periodically separated before finalizing their

divorce in 1986

. In 1984, while

finalizing his divorce

, he reportedly met

Betsy Arakawa

at a fitness center in Los Angeles, where she worked part-time. They began dating that same year.

Despite speculation, Hackman denied leaving his first wife for another woman. In a 2021 Sun Sentinel interview, he

stated

, “By the way, I did not leave my real life wife for a younger woman. We just drifted apart.”

Although Maltese largely stayed out of the public eye, she was seen accompanying Hackman on a few occasions. In 1972, the couple attended the New York Film Critics Awards, where Hackman was honored for his acting achievements.

Nearly a decade later, in 1980, they were photographed together again, one of their last public appearances before their separation.

Hackman acknowledged that maintaining a marriage in show business was difficult. “We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love,” he

added

.

In 1991,

he married his second wife

and lived a quiet life away from Hollywood. Meanwhile, Maltese

passed away

in 2017 at the

age of 88

.

Finding Peace in His Final Years

While Hackman’s career brought him immense success, it came at the cost of his relationship with his children. In a 2011 GQ interview, he

admitted

, “I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on. Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at an age where he needed support and guidance.”

After being away for months, he found it challenging to return home and immediately assert authority over his son. However, by 2020, Hackman had

reconciled with his children

.

Closer Weekly reported that he had grown closer to them and their families in later years. “He wishes he’d been around more for his children, but now he’s close with them and their kids,” a source

revealed

at the time.

When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Hackman simply

said

, “As a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don’t know, beyond that. I don’t think about that often, to be honest. I’m at an age where I should think about it.”

Gene Hackman Found Dead with His Second Wife

On February 27, 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were

found dead

in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community. Their dog was also found deceased. The actor was 95, while his wife was 63.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there were no signs of foul play but did not share a cause of death. Deputies were called to check on the couple, though it was unclear if it was a welfare check or a report from someone who found them.

Authorities were waiting for a search warrant to continue the investigation. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone,” Mendoza

said

.

Gene Hackma

n had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s, enjoying a quiet life away from Hollywood. His passing marked the end of a remarkable career and a life filled with success and personal struggles.

Though his first wife had been part of his early years, their marriage couldn’t survive the demands of his career. In the end, Hackman found peace away from the industry that had shaped his life.