Despite being worth eighty million dollar at the time of his death, Gene Hackman reportedly disinherited his three adult children by the early 2000s. He changed his will to include only his second wife, Betsy Arakawa — his son and two daughters were from his first marriage.

The interesting thing here is that Arakawa and Hackman died roughly around the same time. But forensics have since proven that Arakawa, 65, was the first to die. Hackman, being 95 years old, frail and suffering from severe dementia, died about a week later. He was unable to care for himself, his wife being his primary caregiver. Which means that, technically, Hackman inherited Arakawa’s fortune first (she was a concert pianist and a pretty good one).

So Gene Hackman died. He cut out his children. But his wife, his only heir, died before him. Arakawa’s will states that, in case the couple died within 90 days of one another, their shared fortune should go to charity. Naturally, Hackman’s children are contesting the well.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5705782&forum_id=2#48818284)

not familiar with new mexico law, but both wills would have had survivorship requirements and presumably both failed.

the article says hackman inherited her fortune first, but that is not true. he had to outlive her by 90 days to inherit.

his will would have a backup if his wife did not outlive him. it's not clear that the backup beneficiar(ies) was charity like hers.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5705782&forum_id=2#48819021)

his wife was 65 though so her dying is weird

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5705782&forum_id=2#48819233)