Honestly? I think it was totally natural, but the true reason may not be ever found. If they both regularly saw doctors, then we’ll be able to weigh in probabilities for different scenarios. But, Betsy was 65, young as compared to Gene, but things happen at 65, too. A clot, an arrhythmogenic event, a heart attack, an aneurysm, whatnot.
With Gene…in my dad’s family, many ancestors died around the age of 92-94. Honestly, you don’t need a “specific” reason to die at this age. Exhausted resources or left without a caregiver for a few hours would be enough.
I doubt that Gene’s children or anyone who stood to inherit had anything to do with it. They aren’t young either. They likely have established lives. At one point, their dad got a divorce and several years later, married a woman close to their age. Whatever problems it might have caused initially, it has long been resolved.
As to children not checking on Gene? It might have been an established bilateral mode of existence. They likely spoke to Betsy and had cordial relationship with her. They knew she took a very good care of him. They definitely didn’t expect her to die.
I don’t think there is much to discuss here. Gene was an amazing actor. After retirement, he wrote several books. He doesn’t have any scandals attached to his name. I hope that his money will be inherited by his children as he and Betsy had no children together and it all will have a decent ending, without any arguments of squabbles.
Mostly, he chose such a life - remote, with a woman he loved. They both did. I know that old people’s fear is to die bedridden. Gene was frail, but still walking. Still able to enjoy the sunshine and the late winter air. I hope that it was fast for both of them. As to Ms. Arakawa, I don’t know much about her, but perhaps she liked solitude? I think they both preferred it this way.
