Actor Johnny Depp has won his libel suit against his ex-wife and actress Amber Heard. On Wednesday, a Virginia jury announced the verdict after a six-week trial in which Hollywood stars threw explosive charges at each other. Johnny Depp had filed a defamation lawsuit claiming he had lost several roles including the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Fantastic Beasts. He sued Amber Heard for $50 million while Heard sued for $100 million, claiming his role in Aquaman was cut short due to his legal battle with Depp.
At the end of the trial, the jury found in favor of Johnny Depp and awarded the actor $15 million in damages. Amber Heard was awarded $2 million in damages. Now Depp has released a statement saying “the jury has given my life back to me.” He also wrote “Truth Never Fails” chronicling his legal troubles.
Read Johnny Depp’s full statement here:
Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the life of my loved ones, and also the life of the people who, for many, many years, have supported me and believed in me, changed forever.
All in the blink of an eye.
False, very serious and criminal allegations were made against me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already circled the world twice in a nanosecond and had a seismic impact on my life and career.
And six years later, the jury gave me back my life. I’m really humble.
My decision to pursue this case, knowing full well the height of the legal hurdles I would face and the inevitable global spectacle in my life, was made only after careful consideration.
From the beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Telling the truth was something I owed to my children and everyone who stood by me so steadfastly. I feel at peace knowing that I have finally accomplished this.
I am, and have been, overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest for the truth to be told has helped others, men and women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those who support them will never give up. I also hope that the position will now revert to innocent until proven guilty, both in court and in the media.
I want to acknowledge the noble work of the judge, jurors, court staff and sheriffs who sacrificed their own time to make this happen, as well as my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me helping to share the truth.
The best is yet to come and a new chapter is finally beginning.
Veritas numquam perishes. Truth never fails.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard tied the knot in 2015 after meeting in 2011 on the set of The Rum Diary. In 2016 she filed for divorce and in 2018 she wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post alleging Johnny Depp was abusive in their relationship, although she did not name him in the article.
