Gene Hackman’s First Wife Faye Maltese: Untold Truth About Her

Faye Maltese was a celebrity spouse who came to the spotlight after her marriage to a retired American actor and novelist, Gene Hackman. Her husband is also a winner of two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, two BAFTAs, and one Silver Bear. Sad to say, but, the star’s wife Faye has already left this world.

Maltese and her beau celebrated their marital relationship for almost three decades. Despite the strong bond and such a long-term association, the duo then parted ways. Yet, the former couple was proud parents of three children during their marriage. She was the first wife of Gene Heckman who was with him since the time of his struggling period in acting.

Even though the husband-wife were with each other in every up and down in life, things later didn’t fall in line for the two. So, Hackman went on to tie the knot with his second bride, Betsy Arakawa. The pair is still together albeit with an age gap of 30 years. So, did Gene Heckman’s ex-wife too wedded after separation? What was the reason behind Faye and her ex-husband’s divorce?

Enroll in the article below to find out everything about Gene Hackman’s ex-wife Faye Maltese.

Who Was Gene Hackman’s First Wife, Faye Maltese?

The Golden Globe Award winner’s first wife Faye Maltese was a New York native. She was born Faye Philippa Maltese in the United States of America in the year 1929. Moreover, the celebrity’s wife held American nationality and belonged to mixed ethnicity as she was from an Italian family.

As Faye Maltese shot to fame only after her wedding, not much of her information about her early years is available. However, we have discovered that she worked in a New York Bank as a chemical bank secretary back then to support her family.

Faye Maltese And Her Ex-Husband Heckman Had Love At First Sight

As we mentioned previously, Faye’s ex-spouse wasn’t famous when she came across him. He was just 25 years old and was in the military. Meanwhile, Maltese was then a secretary at a bank in Rockefeller Center. She met him at a Y.M.C.A. in New York in 1955.

The ex-duo instantly connected at their first meeting and without a due, started dating. Faye and her boyfriend-turned-husband Heckman were in a romantic relationship for almost a year. Eventually, the then-boyfriend and girlfriend decided to make their union official by tying knots.

Following that, the former couple walked down the aisle in the year 1956. They hitched in a private wedding ceremony among their close friends and family members.

During their nuptials, the former husband and wife became parents to three children; one son and two daughters. They named their son Christopher Allen Hackman and daughters; Leslie Anne Hackman and Elizabeth Jean Hackman.

Faye Maltese And Gene Heckman’s Divorce After 30 Years of Marriage

Maltese’s ex-hubby, at the time he was wedded, was struggling to become an actor. He left his military job as he always knew he wanted a career in acting. Therefore, he took acting classes at Pasadena Playhouse. Even though Maltese’s former beau wasn’t established in his profession, she stood by his side working in a bank and supporting their family.

Maybe it was because he wanted recognition and money then, he dedicated all his time to get success. Faye’s mate became so ambitious that he only focused on his job despite he had a family.

According to New York Times, the actor said,

“You become very selfish as an actor. 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.”

Well, the actor’s high ambitions and the fact that he could assign time for his wife and family became the reason for the ending of his courtship with his ex-spouse. The mother of three Faye however managed to stay with him for 30 years but couldn’t hold longer. They eventually separated in 1986, regardless, didn’t give any statement behind the reason for their partition.

Did Faye Marry Again After Her Divorce?

No, there was not any news of Faye Maltese being engaged to anyone after her detachment from her ex-partner. In fact, we can say she completely shut down from the limelight until her death in 2017.

On the other hand, her one-time spouse went on to exchange vows with his second wife; Betsy Arakawa; who is 30 years younger than him. The pair were wedded in 1991 and have a house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gene Hackman is still married to her.

Faye Maltese Obituary; When Did She Die?

Maltese closed her eyes forever on April 26, 2017, at the age of 88 years old. Her demise left her family and fans heartbroken.

Since there were no reports of her illness or any accidents, she might have died of natural death. Nevertheless, neither her family nor her former spouse has talked anything about it.

Where is Faye’s Ex- Mate Gene Hackman N0w?

The Academy Award winner retired from his profession in 2004. He has taken a leave from social media and is living a low-key life at present. He has now a good relationship with his children and his now-wife also is close with them.

The 92-years-old wants to live his remaining days in peace and hence, is living at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, he is allegedly occasionally spotted running around town on his e-bike.

What Is Faye Maltese’s Net Worth?

Since Faye used to work in the bank, she must have earned a decent amount of money back then. However, her exact earnings haven’t been disclosed yet.

Meanwhile, her ex-husband Gene Hackman has amassed a net worth of $80 million through his thriving career as an actor and a novelist.