Faye Maltese: The Real Story of Gene Hackman’s First Wife

Faye Maltese was the first wife of famous actor Gene Hackman. They were married for 30 years and had three children. She knew Gene before he became a big movie star. But their long marriage came to an end in 1986.

Before meeting Gene, Faye lived a simple life in New York. She worked at a bank and earned her own money. Later, she helped her husband while he worked hard to become an actor.

But who was Faye Maltese? How did she meet Gene Hackman? In this article, we will learn about her early life, marriage, children, and family. We will also see how Gene’s fame changed their lives.

Faye Maltese Quick Bio


Full Name	Faye Philippa Maltese
Known For	Gene Hackman’s first wife
Birth Date	December 18, 1928
Birthplace	New York, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Italian roots
Profession	Bank secretary
Ex-Husband	Gene Hackman
Met Gene	1955
Married	1956
Divorced	1986
Marriage Length	30 years
Children	3
Son	Christopher Allen
Daughters	Elizabeth Jean, Leslie Anne
Remarried	Not confirmed
Net Worth	Unknown
Death Date	April 26, 2017
Age at Death	88
Cause of Death	Not public

Who Was Faye Maltese?

Faye Maltese was an American woman who became known as Gene Hackman’s first wife. She worked as a bank secretary before Gene became famous. She was not an actress and did not work in Hollywood.

Faye liked to keep her life private. She did not enjoy being in the news or getting too much attention. Still, she sometimes went to movie events with Gene and stood beside him during his big moments.

She was also the mother of Gene’s three children. Their marriage lasted from 1956 to 1986. Although they later went their own ways, Faye remained an important part of Gene Hackman’s life story.

Faye Maltese’s Early Life and Family

Faye Maltese was reportedly born on December 18, 1928, in New York City. She grew up in a family with Italian roots. Her parents were reportedly named Fran C Maltese and Lena Maltese.

Very little is known about her childhood. There are few public details about her school or early home life. Faye was a private person, so much of her younger life remains unknown to the public.

Before meeting Gene, she worked as a secretary at a bank in New York. She lived a normal life and earned money through her job. She had no idea that she would one day marry a famous Hollywood actor.

How Did Faye Maltese Meet Gene Hackman?

Faye Maltese first met Gene Hackman in 1955. They met at a YMCA dance in New York City. Gene was about 25 years old and was still trying to make a name for himself.

At that time, Gene was not a movie star. He had served in the Marines and wanted to become an actor. Faye had a steady job at a bank. Both were living simple lives.

They soon started dating and fell in love. Their bond grew stronger, and they wanted to spend their lives together. In 1956, just one year after meeting, Faye and Gene got married.

Faye Maltese and Gene Hackman’s Marriage

Faye Maltese married Gene Hackman in 1956. Their early married life was not rich or easy. They lived in a small apartment and had to be careful with money. Gene was still looking for acting jobs.

Faye kept working while Gene followed his dream. He went to acting school in California and later looked for work in New York. He faced many hard days before getting good roles in movies.

Things slowly got better for the couple. Gene became more well-known after his role in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. Faye had been with him through his early struggles. But his growing fame also brought new problems.

Faye Maltese’s Three Children

Faye Maltese and Gene Hackman had three children together. Their first child was a son named Christopher Allen Hackman, born in 1960. Their daughter Elizabeth Jean was born in August 1962. Their youngest daughter, Leslie Anne, arrived in October 1966.

Faye spent much of her time caring for their children. Gene was often busy making movies and had to travel for work. This meant Faye had to handle many parts of family life while he was away.

Their children mostly stayed away from the public eye. Christopher once wanted to try acting, and Gene wrote short scenes for him. Elizabeth and Leslie sometimes went to movie events with their father. The family valued its private life.

Faye Maltese’s Life During Gene’s Fame

Gene Hackman became a big star after his role in Bonnie and Clyde. His fame grew even more when he won an Oscar for The French Connection in 1972. Life was now very different for him and Faye.

Faye sometimes joined Gene at big events. They were seen together at the New York Film Critics Awards in 1972. They also appeared in photos from 1980. Even with Gene’s fame, Faye kept most of her life private.

But Gene’s busy career made their marriage harder. He often stayed away from home for three or four months while making movies. He later said his work hurt his family life. As the years passed, they slowly grew apart.

Why Did Faye Maltese and Gene Hackman Divorce?

Faye Maltese and Gene Hackman ended their marriage in 1986. They had been together for 30 years. Their love story began before Gene became famous, but his busy acting career made their life together harder.

Gene often spent months away from home while making movies. He later said that fame and money changed his life. He also admitted that he had put too much time into work instead of his family.

Some people believed Gene left Faye for Betsy Arakawa, whom he began dating in the 1980s. But Gene denied this. He said he and Faye had slowly grown apart. Their divorce marked the end of a long marriage.

Faye Maltese’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Faye Maltese chose to live a quiet life. She stayed away from movie events and public attention. Unlike Gene, she did not have a career that kept her in the news.

There is little public information about her life after 1986. Some reports say she lived in California, including Van Nuys. However, her daily life and later home are not well known. She kept her personal matters private.

Many people also wonder if Faye married again. There is no clear public record showing that she did. Gene later married Betsy Arakawa in 1991. Faye remained his first wife and the mother of his three children.

Did Gene Hackman Regret Losing Faye Maltese?

Gene Hackman spoke about the problems in his first marriage years after the divorce. He said his work often kept him away from home. He also knew that his long trips had hurt his family life.

In a 2011 interview with GQ, Gene talked about his son Christopher. He said he had missed the chance to guide him during some important years. Coming home after months away made being a father harder.

Gene later became closer to his children. Reports said they spent more time together as adults. Still, he never clearly said he wished to marry Faye again. His words showed regret about missed family time, not the divorce itself.

Faye Maltese’s Death, and Final Years

Faye Maltese was reportedly born on December 18, 1928. She lived through many changes during her long life. She saw Gene become a Hollywood star and watched their three children grow into adults.

Faye passed away on April 26, 2017, at the age of 88. Some reports say she spent her later years in California. However, there is little clear information about her final days or where she died.

Her exact cause of death has not been shared in reliable public reports. Faye had lived away from the spotlight for many years. Even after her death, much of her private life remained unknown.

Faye Maltese’s Net Worth and Career

Before her marriage, Faye Maltese worked as a bank secretary in New York. She continued working during Gene’s early acting years. Her income helped the couple while he looked for roles and tried to build his career.

Many readers want to know how much money Faye had. However, her net worth was never made public. There are also no clear details about the money or property she received after her divorce.

Gene Hackman was said to be worth about $80 million when he died in 2025. But that was his estimated wealth, not Faye’s. There is no good reason to guess her fortune without clear proof.

Final Thoughts

Faye Maltese will always be part of Gene Hackman’s life story. She knew him before his fame and shared his early struggles. Together, they raised Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie during his rise in Hollywood.

Gene married Betsy Arakawa in 1991. They later lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both were found dead at their home in February 2025. Betsy died from a rare illness, while Gene died from heart disease.

As of 2026, Faye and Gene’s three children mostly keep their lives private. Their family story still interests many people. Faye is remembered for her long marriage, her children, and her life before Hollywood fame.