According to Amber Heard, it was “extremely tough” for her to decide to settle the defamation lawsuit with her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp.
The news was released not long after the Aquaman actress and her attorneys formally appealed Depp’s $50 million defamation decision. Heard made a difficult decision to settle the defamation action launched against her by her ex-husband in Virginia, she stated in a long statement she shared on Instagram. I must emphasize that I never selected this. My life as I knew it was ruined because I stood up for the truth. When women come out, they are re-victimized in ways that are exacerbated, as seen by the vilification I have experienced on social media.
I have now been given the chance to free myself from something on conditions that I can accept after making an attempt to do so more than six years ago. I have not admitted anything. This is not a concession in any way. Moving ahead, there are no limitations or gags on my voice.
The centerpiece of Depp’s $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife was an opinion piece Heard wrote for The Washington Post that Depp alleges damaged his career by depicting him as a violent abuser. In addition to $5 million in punitive penalties, which were capped at $350,000 by Virginia state law, Depp was also given $10 million in compensatory damages. In addition, $2 million in compensatory damages were given to Heard. Depp then appealed that counterclaim award in November 2022. No information has been released about the settlement’s contents or how Depp’s appeal would be impacted at this time.