Depps divorce ... and Amber gets custody of those dogs
SHE is giving away the millions of dollars she’s been handed by Hollywood star Johnny Depp in the divorce settlement that finally spells the end of their acrimonious marriage – but Amber Heard will be keeping their beloved terriers after being granted custody of the pets.
The dogs, Pistol and Boo, were last in the news when Ms Heard flew them into Australia on a private jet without putting them through quarantine in 2015, leading to her being prosecuted and fined.
Pistol was said to be a gift to Ms Heard from her former girlfriend, artist Tasya van Ree, while Boo originally belonged to Depp. He is believed to have wanted to keep custody of the pair, saying the dogs should not be split up.
According to the settlement finalised in Los Angeles on Friday, Depp, star of the Pirates Of The Caribbean films, will give Ms Heard $7million (£5.6million), which she has said she will give to two charities, the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Ms Heard, a keen rider, will also hold on to her horse Arrow.
Meanwhile, Depp will keep his vast collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, boats and golf carts. And as well as properties in Hollywood and Paris, he will hold on to his 45-acre private island in the Bahamas, bought for a reported £2.5million in 2004.
Ms Heard and Depp married in 2015 but broke up last year after allegations by Heard that he had been physically abusive. She later made a request for a restraining order against him but this has been dropped in the divorce settlement.
Depp’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, said: ‘We are all pleased to put this unpleasant chapter in Mr Depp and his family’s lives behind them.’
Ms Heard’s lawyer, Pierce O’Donnell, said: ‘My client would be very happy to move on with her life.’ But Depp has a new legal battle, launching a £20.5million case against his former business managers on the same day his divorce was finalised.
The star claims the company and its owners, Joel and Robert Mandel, failed to properly pay his taxes, made unauthorised loans and overpaid for security and other services. Depp has filed 11 complaints against them and is seeking damages.