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Why Did Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Split Up?

Why Did Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Split Up?

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are currently locked in the lawsuit of the decade, but what's the backstory behind their divorce?

In 2015, Johnny Depp married Amber Heard. Depp said he thought Heard was “too good to be true,” and the relationship ultimately ended in flames…

On May 23, 2016, Heard filed for divorce from Depp and, four days later, obtained a restraining order. She claimed that prior to this, Depp had physically abused her throughout their relationship, and said it was normally while drunk or under the influence of drugs.

She claimed that on May 21, not long before filing for divorce, an occurrence had come about in which Depp threw his mobile phone at her, leaving her black and blue. But a spokesperson from the police force told People that an inquiry found that no offence or domestic incident had actually cropped up. Depp declared these accusations untrue and his representatives said Heard was "attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse."

After these allegations, The Sun newspaper described Depp as a “wife beater,” triggering him to sue the publishers for libel in a case that he wound up losing. The Sun said: “Domestic abuse victims must never be silenced and we thank the judge for his careful consideration and thank Amber Heard for her courage in giving evidence to the court,” whilst Heard’s lawyer commented that “We are committed to obtaining justice for Amber Heard” and “defending” freedom of speech.

Depp and his lawyers put forward a request to get authorisation for a retrial, as Depp continued to claim that he did not assault his former wife Amber Heard. In the evidence given at the appeal hearing, Depp’s legal representatives said that they had not been given a just trial and handed over “fresh evidence” that alleged Amber Heard lied about donating her full $7 million divorce settlement to non-profit organisations. She said the money would be split between two organisations, but Depp claimed that she had not followed through with the promise.

Now, Depp is suing Heard for $50 million in compensation over an opinion piece she wrote for The Washington Post, and claims that he has never been physically or sexually violent with Heard. Heard is counter suing for $100 million, and has alleged Depp assaulted her in various ways.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have both given evidence as part of their defamation court case, with Heard’s lawyer implying that Depp had been exposed: they said “Just know Amber Heard didn’t want to unearth” who “the real Johnny” is, and added, “You’ll see the real Johnny Depp, behind the pirate costume.”



Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard