(TheThings) - Johnny Depp and Amber Heard had a whirlwind relationship, even before they tied the knot in 2015. But just as fast as their romance began, it appeared to end. Amber filed for divorce as well as a restraining order within a year of tying the knot. She subsequently made a series of allegations against Johnny, including that he was verbally and physically abusive.
However, it seemed the exes were close to moving on in 2016 when they announced they’d reached a divorce settlement (the divorce was finalized the following year). Johnny agreed to pay Amber a $7 million settlement, however, it appeared conditional on her agreeing to donate the millions to charity. They announced the arrangement in a joint statement.
“Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain,” their statement said. “There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.”
Moreover, Amber said she would split the settlement between two charities, with $3.5 million going to the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and the other $3.5 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which works to protect individual rights and liberties as protected in the U.S. constitution.
However, when Johnny launched a defamation case against Amber years later over her abuse allegations, it was revealed in court that she’s yet to donate the full divorce settlement. Now that the trial is over (and concluded in Johnny’s favor), there’s much speculation over whether Amber will ever donate the money. Here’s everything we know.
Amber Hasn’t Donated The Full $7 Million Due To “Financial Difficulties”
Many people testified during Johnny’s defamation case against Amber, include Terence Dougherty, the chief operating officer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Dougherty claimed Amber hadn’t donated the full $3.5 million she promised his charity.
As of December 2021, the COO claimed Amber had only given ACLU $1.3 million, which is less than half what she promised.
Dougherty said his charity reached out to Amber about the rest of the money in 2019, after she stopped making payments to ACLU the year prior. However, he said Amber told the organization she was having “financial difficulties,” which were preventing her from paying the sum in full.
Amber was later asked about Dougherty’s statement when she took the stand, and she admitted under oath to not donating the money in full as of yet. “I fully intend to honour all of my pledges. I would love for him to stop suing me so I can,” Amber said, implying that Johnny’s lawsuit was financially preventing her from donating the money.
Amber also claimed she was “never interested in Johnny’s money,” and rather agreed to the settlement for peace of mind. “I didn’t care about the money,” she explained. “I was told if I didn’t agree to a number it could be overturned, we would never settle. I took far less than what they were offering and what I was entitled to.”
Amber continued, “I just wanted my safety and my future and he compromised that….I wanted him to leave me alone. I’ve been saying that since 2016.”
Amber Said In 2022 She Still Plans To Donate The Divorce Money, But In Her Own Time
For now, there’s been no confirmation that Amber has donated the divorce money in full to the two charities. However, in June 2022, after the defamation case concluded, the Aquaman star said that’s very much still her intention.
"You had promised to donate the $7 million of your divorce settlement to charity. It was revealed at trial that you haven't done so yet [but] they played a tape where you [said you had],” Savannah Guthrie said to Amber during an interview on NBC’s Today show.
“Do you think that raised questions as to your credibility with the jury?" Guthrie asked. To this, Amber replied, "I made a pledge, and that pledge is made over time by its nature.”
Amber’s vague response seemed to imply that while she plans to donate the money, she’ll do so on her own time. The actress didn’t provide a timeline. But considering she received the divorce settlement in 2018 and has still yet to donate the money in full five years later, it could take years before ACLU and Children’s Hospital see the millions, if ever.
Johnny Depp Already Donated The Money He Won From The Lawsuit
While Amber may be taking her sweet time donating her divorce settlement, Johnny Depp wasted no time pledging to give away the money he earned from the defamation case, which many have perceived as a subtle diss towards his ex.
Johnny was originally awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages after the jury found Amber guilty of defamation.
She went on to appeal the decision several times, but Johnny and Amber’s legal teams eventually agreed to a settlement in which she’d have to pay $1 million (though it’s being covered by insurance).
Since then, Johnny announced he’d be splitting the million-dollar victory evenly between 5 charities -- he Make-A-Film Foundation, The Painted Turtle, Red Feather, Marlon Brando’s Tetiaroa Society charity and the Amazonia Fund Alliance. Each organization will receive $200,000.
Only time will tell if Amber ever lives up to her promise and donates the rest of her divorce money.
By Alexandra Sakellariou
August 1, 2023
