Her body exhibited signs of “mummification,” indicating she had been dead for a significant period.
Hackman’s Declining Health
Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, was known for roles in The French Connection, The Conversation, and Superman. He won Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven before retiring from acting following 2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums.
Following his retirement, Hackman wrote two books and co-authored three books.
Friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, who had a 30-year friendship with the couple, shared insights into his declining health in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.
“Hackman had become essentially kind of home-bound,” Daniel Lenihan said. Barbara added that about a year ago, he had “quit riding his bike through the neighborhood.”
Aaron Lenihan noted that “Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged,” encouraging him to do puzzles and participate in yoga sessions via Zoom. “She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible,” he said.
