How Hollywood ruined Gene Hackman's first marriage to loyal bank clerk - before he got a second chance with Hawaiian pianist Betsy Arakawa

Gene Hackman - who along with wife was found dead in his Santa Fe home this week - was married twice in his life. The Hollywood legend, 95, had been with Betsy Arakawa, 64 - more than 30 years his junior - since 1991. And the late star, perhaps best known for his role as Buck in Bonnie and Clyde, was said to live a 'peaceful life' with the Hawaiian classical pianist he fell in love with.

However, his romance with first partner Faye Maltese, a bank clerk, was understood to be much more tumultuous. The couple had three children together - Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne Hackman. However, the actor's busy schedule meant he was 'gone so much' while trying to make his big break - putting a strain on relations. In 1986, they got divorced.

The pair first met in 1955 - when Gene was only 25 and nowhere near success. As reported by the New York Times Magazine in 1989, he and the 'pretty and dark-haired' secretary at Rockefeller Center initially crossed paths at a Y.M.C.A. dance in the Big Apple.

Their first few years as a young family were marked by struggle - the couple lived in a 'cold water walk up' - meaning there is no hot water supply available - in the city. Gene Hackman - who along with wife was found dead in his Santa Fe home - was married twice in his life. Pictured with first wife Faye.

The Hollywood legend, 95, had been with Betsy Arakawa, more than 30 years his junior, since 1991. Gene Hackman - who along with wife (both pictured) was found dead in his Santa Fe home - was married twice in his life. However, Gene, speaking to the outlet admitted that as success in theatre, Broadway and the screen came, he became 'selfish'.

'You spend so many years wanting desperately to be recognized as having the talent and then when you're starting to be offered these parts, it's very tough to turn anything down,' he revealed. 'Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn't able to handle that.'.

In 2011, Gene also discussed how his dreams of grandeur caused a rift with his children, when asked what advice he'd want to pass onto his son by GQ. He answered: '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.

'It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around.'. As reported by the Chicago Tribune via Nicki Swift , it was marrying Betsy that rekindled Gene's relationship with his children, and encouraged him to start inviting them over.

However, it appears that towards the end of his life, the star managed to make amends. In 2020, Closer reported that despite past regrets, Gene is close with his kids and grandkids. 'He wishes he'd been around more for his children, but now he's close with them and their kids,' and insider added.

Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2000, he reflected further: 'It's tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity. 'I couldn't always be home with them when they were growing up and then, living in California, they've had my success always hanging over their heads.'.

He and Betsy were understood to live an idyllic life in their Santa Fe home - where they were keen to decorate the property unique to their own styles. 'We bought a few things in Santa Fe,' Gene told Architectural Digest in 2022. 'Other things came from auctions in New York, an antiques shop in Germany that Betsy and I found, and from Los Angeles. It's a nice combination of soft southwestern pieces and hard-edged antiques.'.

In an interview with Empire in 2020, the retired actor also said he enjoyed watching DVDs that Betsy rented. Gene Hackman, seen here with Estelle Parsons, was found dead alongside his wife. The legendary actor had recently turned 95. Hackman won two Oscars in his lifetime.

'We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,' he said. 'Friday night is set aside for a Comedy Channel marathon, with particular attention paid to Eddie Izzard. The speed of thought is amazing.'. As reported by the Chicago Tribune via Nicki Swift, it was marrying Betsy that rekindled Gene's relationship with his children, and encouraged him to start inviting them over.

While not much is known about the classical pianist who won over Gene's heart, the actor had revealed that they started dating in the mid-80s. In an interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, via People, he however stressed that he did not leave Faye for her.

'By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman,' Gene remarked, when discussing his similarities to his character Harry Mackenzie in 1985's Twice in a Lifetime. 'We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.'.