Settlement

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have settled the defamation lawsuits the Hollywood stars had filed against each other. Previously, Heard and Depp both appealed the jury’s verdict in the turbulent trial.

Both plaintiffs are now withdrawing their appeal. Heard writes on Instagram that it was a “really tough decision” to resolve, but that she’s OK with the terms and that the deal isn’t “a concession”.

The deal between the two ex-lovers stipulates that Heard will pay Depp $1 million. According to Depp’s lawyers, the actor will donate that money to charity. They say they are happy that their client can formally close “a painful chapter”.

Last summer, a seven-person jury in the US state of Virginia ruled that Heard owed Depp $10 million. Instead, Depp is expected to transfer $2 million to his ex-wife.

These amounts are due to the severance pay. Depp’s lawyers tell NBC that their client never thought about money. “The unanimous verdict of the jury stands.”

Depp had sued Heard for defamation because she had written an article on domestic violence. Depp wasn’t mentioned by name, but according to the actor, it was abundantly clear the piece was about him. The jury agreed with him.

Heard, in turn, filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband because his lawyers called the domestic violence allegations he made against Depp a “hoax.”

In court, the actors accused each other of misconduct for days into their two-year marriage. The case was covered by millions of Americans on television and in live streaming.