Johnny Depp victorious in defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard

Actor Johnny Depp has won more than $10 million in damages after achieving a near-total victory in a defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard, bringing an end to a six-week trial featuring graphic testimony about the stars' soured relationship.

Actor Johnny Depp has won his defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard, after a U.S. court ruled he be awarded $10million in damages. AFP/Archivos

In Wednesday's ruling, jurors awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $10.35 million to comply with state limits on punitive damages.

The seven-person jury in the U.S. state of Virginia also ruled for Heard on one counterclaim against Depp. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" film star depicted the decision as a vindication, and his former wife said it was "a disappointment."

The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million in damages.

Why Johnny Depp lost his libel case in the U.K. but won in the U.S. https://t.co/Vb9ORKpTBY

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 2, 2022

Domestic abuse allegations

58-year-old Depp had sued Heard for $50 million, arguing that she defamed him when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" in a newspaper opinion piece.

Heard countersued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a "hoax." 

Depp denied hitting Heard - or any woman - and said she was the one who turned violent in their relationship.

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He told jurors the allegations from Heard, best known for her role in "Aquaman," had cost him "everything."

A new "Pirates" movie was put on hold and Depp was replaced in the "Fantastic Beasts" film franchise, a "Harry Potter" spinoff.

In a statement, Depp said: "The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled

"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun," he added, ending with the Latin phrase "Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."

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Heard 'heartbroken' by verdict

Heard, seated in the courtroom between two of her lawyers, looked down as the verdicts were read.

"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words," she said in a statement. "I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband."

"I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women," she added. "It is a setback."

The two met in 2011 while filming "The Rum Diary" and wed in February 2015.

Their divorce was finalized about two years later.