After the court case drama, has Amber Heard’s net worth vanished?
Amber Heard has been the target of many hate campaigns following one of the most televised court cases in recent years. Since the courts ruled in Johnny Depp’s favor, however, people are now just as curious about the fallout. Some are happy for Depp, many others are saddened for Heard. There are even people speculating on the precedence this case may set for future domestic violence cases handled in court.
Whether you’re team Depp or team Heard, it’s become clear the world is divided on whose side is worth defending. Has Amber Heard lost her entire net worth following the scandalous case? What’s next for the actress? Here’s everything you need to know.
Rough romance
It’s no secret that Amber Heard & Johnny Depp had a tumultuous relationship. The two Hollywood stars met on the set of The Rum Diary in 2009 and began dating in 2012. Depp and long-term partner Vanessa Paradis ended their 14-year relationship the same year.
It looked like a fairy tale come true when actor Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard tied the knot in 2015. But it didn’t take long for the cracks to start showing in their relationship. Just one year later, Heard filed for divorce from Depp, citing irreconcilable differences. She also obtained a temporary restraining order against him, alleging that he had been physically abusive toward her during their marriage.
Since then, the two have been locked in a bitter legal battle, with each side accusing the other of lying about the extent of the abuse. Johnny Depp has vehemently denied all allegations of abuse, and has even sued Heard for defamation after a scathing op-ed published in the Washington Post titled “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change”.
Heard vs. Depp
Amber Heard & Johnny Depp’s defamation trial kicked off on April 11, 2022 in Fairfax County, Virginia. Depp’s lawyers laid out evidence of Heard’s alleged abuse, while Heard’s lawyers focused on Depp’s past drug and alcohol use, text messages, and recordings. They claimed that Depp was the one who perpetrated the violence.
On the stand, Depp stated: “It’s insane to hear heinous accusations of violence, sexual violence, that she’s attributed to me, that she’s accused me of. I don’t think anyone enjoys having to split themselves open and tell the truth, but there are times when one simply has to because it’s gotten out of control. Horrible. Ridiculous. Humiliating. Ludicrous. Painful. Savage. Unimaginably brutal. Cruel. Um, and all false. All false.”
Amber Heard also had her say about the public’s treatment of her since speaking out. She says she has been inundated with death threats since the start of the trial. “Protecting the secret that I did, for as long as I did, has taken enough of my voice,” Heard says. “Johnny has taken enough of my voice and the right to tell my story. I have the right to say what happened . . . I have the right as an American to talk about what happened to me. To own my story and my truth.”
The jury has spoken, and they have ruled in favor of Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. The verdict was unanimous, with the jury awarding Depp $5 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages.
Missing money
Following a few successful roles in Hollywood, Amber Heard’s net worth stands at $2.5 million. After attempting to appeal the court’s decision when they ruled in favor of Depp, she ended up withdrawing her appeal this month.
Posting on her Instagram, Heard stated how she was thrown by the court’s decision. “For too many years I have been caged in an arduous and expensive legal process, which has shown itself unable to protect me and my right to free speech. I cannot afford to risk an impossible bill—one that is not just financial but also psychological, physical and emotional. Women shouldn’t have to face abuse or bankruptcy for speaking her truth, but unfortunately, it is not uncommon.”
It’s clear Heard is still struggling to pay what she owes Depp in the defamation case and only time will tell if Hollywood will forgive the shamed actress.
