Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's legal battle is officially over. The Aquaman star agreed to pay her ex-husband $1 million and settled his defamation lawsuit against her.
Johnny Depp Reportedly Wanted The Truth, Not Destroy Amber Heard
In a lengthy announcement on Instagram Monday, Heard announced that she decided to settle. An insider spoke with People about the development of the exes' legal battle and said that the Pirates of the Caribbean star is moving on because he has no interest in destroying his ex-wife in the first place.
A source close to Depp told the outlet that Heard initially wanted to appeal for "both the financial reasons [and] to ensure there wasn't a judgment in place against her — that has significant ramifications."
"This judgment is never going away," the insider continued, adding of Depp, "He has always said he wasn't looking to destroy her. He said it wasn't about money, and it's not! He just wanted the truth."
Depp's lawyers were delighted with the settlement as it meant that they all would be moving forward from that chapter.
"We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light," Depp's lawyers Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez said in a statement to People.
Depp will reportedly donate the $1 million settlement from his ex-wife to several charities, according to his lawyers, while noting that the June 1 verdict giving Depp victory remains "fully in place."
"The jury's unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp's favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place," they added. "The payment of $1 million — which Mr. Depp is pledging and will (actually) donate to charities — reinforces Ms. Heard's acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system's rigorous pursuit for justice."
Amber Heard Settles Lawsuit After Losing Faith In American Legal System
Heard released a statement on Instagram Monday, announcing her decision to settle the defamation lawsuit against her filed by her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.
"After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia," she wrote. "It's important to say that I never chose this."
"I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed. The vilification faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimised when they come forward. Now, I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to. I have made no admission. This not an act of concession."
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Faking Press Intrusion? Sussexes Slammed For Using Stock Photos On Netflix Trailer
She noted that there are no restrictions or gags, and she will continue to use her voice in the causes she believes in. She also admitted that she lost faith in the country's legal system.
"I make this decision having lost faith in the American legal system, where my unprotected testimony served as entertainment and social media fodder," Heard continued.
According to her, she couldn't take the third trial and would rather spend her precious time productively and purposely. She added that she would never be threatened, disheartened or dissuaded from speaking her truth.
In June, Heard also expressed disappointment when she lost the defamation case against her ex Johnny Depp.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla 'Appalled' by Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Docuseries? Senior Royals Reportedly 'Not Worried but Wearied' With Netflix Documentary
"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband," she wrote at the time.
She added that she was even disappointed in how the verdict would affect women who spoke up and spoke out about their domestic abuse experiences. Heard went on and said Depp's lawyers "succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK."
"I'm sad I lost this case, But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly," Heard concluded.
Stay tuned for more news and updates about Johnny Depp.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!