As the spouse of a two-time Oscar winner, she avoided interviews and stayed off social media. But in private, she typed up Mr. Hackman’s novels and helped edit them.

Actor Gene Hackman built a legendary career with roles in Superman, Get Shorty, and Enemy of the State, but his personal life had its own twists and turns. Raised in a broken home, Gene’s childhood wasn’t easy.

Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife — a businesswoman, who was a steadfast companion of the screen legend and had musical talents of her own — died alongside him on Wednesday.