Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s loved ones are giving insight into their final years together. 

After the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home late last month—with authorities sharing that Betsy, 65, had died from the effects of a viral infection, while Gene, 95, died a week later due to complications from Alzheimer’s—the couple’s loved ones discussed the dynamic the pair shared in their final days. 

Gene’s longtime friend Tim Allin told the New York Times in an article published March 8 that his friend would have died “long ago,” without the assistance of his wife of more than 30 years, adding of Betsy, “She was very protective of him.” 

He went on to emphasize that Betsy greatly cared for Gene’s health, sharing an example that he once saw her watering down his wine with soda water. As he put it, “She just really looked after him.”

Indeed, other friends told the newspaper that Betsy was in full control of Gene’s communications and schedule—often making social arrangements with friends on his behalf. As Tim noted, The French Connection star didn’t own his own cell phone.