Amber Heard confirmed Thursday she received a $7 million settlement from estranged husband Johnny Depp in their divorce case, and said she donated all of the money to charity.
The settlement between Heard, 30, and Depp, 52, was announced Tuesday, one day before a hearing was scheduled on her request to extend a restraining order against the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star. Heard was granted a temporary restraining order in May after claiming that Depp verbally and physically abused her throughout their relationship and marriage.
“As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves,” Heard said today.
“As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated,” she said. “This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future.”
According to Heard, the money is being divided equally between the ACLU – – “with a particular focus to stop violence against women” — and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, “where I have worked as a volunteer for the past 10 years alongside organizations like the Art of Elysium.”
“Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child,” she said. “I know these organizations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most.”
Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, thanked Heard for the donation and her advocacy for domestic violence victims.
“For years, we have worked through the courts and legislatures around the country to make sure that domestic violence victims are fully protected by the law and receive the government assistance they deserve,” he said.
Depp and Heard met on the set of “The Rum Diary” and were married in February 2015.
In announcing the settlement of their divorce case, the pair issued a joint statement saying their relationship “was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.”
“Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future,” according to the statement.
–City News Service