On Tuesday, it was announced that former couple Amber Heard and Johnny Depp reached a divorce settlement. Through their joint statement released by TMZ, it was announced that Heard would donate her settlement money to charity. At the time of the announcement, it was unclear which charities would receive the reported $7 million the 30-year-old actor received from Depp, but on Friday, the charities receiving Heard's divorce settlement were revealed by the Magic Mike XXL star herself in a new statement:
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. As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future.
She then went onto discuss the two worthy causes receiving her money:
The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and the Children’s Hospital of 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. 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.
As many know, before reaching a settlement, Heard filed a domestic violence petition against her now ex-husband. Depp previously denied Heard's claims of abuse through his lawyer, Laura Wasser, who told People in May, "Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse." Upon reaching a divorce settlement, Heard's domestic violence petition was also settled.
The executive director of the ACLU, Anthony D. Romero, released a statement commenting on Heard's worthy donation. "We are incredibly grateful that Ms. Heard has so very generously shown her support for the important and necessary advocacy for victims of domestic violence," he said. "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. We could not be more thankful for Ms. Heard’s support — she can be confident that this gift will help other women live safely and freely."
Like the ACLU, the president and chief executive officer of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Paul S. Viviano, also released a statement thanking The Danish Girl star for her donation. "On behalf of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles' leadership, staff and the thousands of brave patients and their families who will benefit from this donation, I would like to thank Amber Heard for this tremendous gift," he said. "Her generosity will support the lifesaving treatments and cures that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles provides for critically ill children each year."
At the time of their divorce settlement, Heard and Depp released the following statement:
Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity.
