What is Amber Heard’s net worth? Staggering contrast with Johnny Depp’s riches

Amber Heard’s career was just taking off when she and Johnny Depp’s multimillion-dollar court case began, now its financial impact could destroy her.

It wouldn’t be too far off to say many people hadn’t seen or heard of Amber Heard until she divorced Johnny Depp.

Some Australians would’ve heard of the actor and model for the first time when she and then husband Depp felt the full wrath of Australian Department of Agriculture (and Barnaby Joyce) for their infamous dog-smuggling saga.

But compared to her ex-husband, she is relatively unknown; and among many, better recognised for her courtroom appearances than her on-screen roles.

Nonetheless, their multimillion-dollar defamation trial has brought the unfriendly spotlight of public scrutiny on the couple, their careers, their marriage and divorce, past relationships, charitable contributions (or lack thereof), and their bank balances.

On Thursday morning (AEST), the jury reached a verdict in favour of Depp, awarding him $15 million in damages after successfully suing Amber Heard for defamation.

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Amber Heard’s acting and modelling career has been overshadowed by the ongoing defamation case against Johnny Depp. Picture: Jim Watson / POOL / AFP

The jury ruled that Heard defamed Depp in all three of the actor’s claims. They awarded him $10 million in damages and $5 million in punitive damages (however Depp will only receive $350,000 due to state law limits).

Heard was also awarded $2 million after the jury found that Depp had defamed her after Depp’s lawyer called her abuse allegations a hoax.

Subtracting Heard’s award from Depp’s total, the Pirates of the Caribbean star leaves the case with $8.35 million.

But how exactly will Heard pay her damages?

The past six weeks has raised questions about whether Heard’s pockets are deep enough to foot the bill, with the actress admitting she was unable to donate $7million to charity after her divorce from Depp in 2017 because her ex-husband had filed a $50million lawsuit against her.

“I still fully intend on honoring all of my pledges,” Heard said regarding the money she had pledged to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“I would love him to stop suing me so I can.”

Throughout the trial, it was also suggested that her career had come to a halt because of her ongoing legal battle with Depp.

Experts have revealed that if Heard cannot fulfill her obligation to pay Depp’s damages, the court may choose to garnish part of her current and future wages.

If, however, Heard chooses to appeal the ruling, she will be expected to post bond, plus interest, for the full $10.35 million judgement, CBS News reports.

“For an individual who doesn’t have the ability to pay the judgment and no ability to post the bond, then there is a real issue if the winning party intends to execute the judgment,” lawyer Sandra Spurgeon told CBS MoneyWatch.

Spurgeon said Heard could file for bankruptcy, which would likely wipe clean the $10 million in compensatory damages, but she might still have to pay $350,000 in punitive damages.

Depp — who remarked today that the case was “to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome” — could decide not to execute the judgment, waiving any monetary compensation. Spurgeon added that he could also negotiate with Heard for a lower figure.

Even before the proceedings began, their respective wealths looked very different.

Amber Heard’s net­ worth

Heard’s exact net worth is up for debate. Fox Business reports it is US$8 million (a little over A$11.2 million), while Celebrity Net Worth lists Heard’s net worth at US$2.5 million (just over A$3.5 million).

The defamation trial has laid the couple’s finances bare, and revealed that Heard earned $10 million in gross income between 2013 and 2019.

It is a staggering contrast to her ex-husband’s reported net worth - a mind-boggling US$150 million (around A$210 million).

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s vicious relationship is on public display in court. Picture: AP Photo/Joel Ryan

But unlike Depp’s well-established career, Heard’s had only just hit its first major success when the courtroom battles began.

Her career began as a model in New York, before she moved to Los Angeles and starred in music videos and landed minor roles in television series like Jack & Bobby, The Mountain, and The O.C.

She made her first film appearance in Friday Night Lights (2004), and began an up-and-down career that totalled 51 acting credits, according to IMDB.

Heard found mainstream success in her appearance in Pineapple Express. Picture: Supplied

Her first leading role was in the 2006 slasher film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (a flop), but her most notable roles include as Seth Rogen’s much-younger love interest in Pineapple Express, a brief appearance in Zombieland, and her supporting role in The Rum Diary, where she met Depp.

After a string of minor roles in 2015 – notably Magic Mike XXL and The Danish Girl – Heard scored her largest role to date: Mera in the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman.

Heard was reportedly paid US$5 million for the role and, after the film made $1 billion worldwide, was paid $10 million for the 2023 sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Her continuation with the project has drawn millions to sign a petition calling for her character to be re-cast.

Amber Heard as Mera in the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman. Picture: Supplied / Warner Bros

As well as movies, Heard has 31 professional modelling credits, including campaigns with Guess, a global ambassadorship with L’Oreal Paris (worth $1.625 million), and work with the Cannes Film Festival and Harper’s Bazaar.

How does she compare to Depp?

Johnny Depp has been acting for about as long as his ex-wife has been alive, and in that time he has amassed a mind-boggling amount of money, international real estate, businesses, and vintage motor vehicles.

Forbes has named him the “most overpaid” actor twice, as he asks, on average, upwards of $20 million per acting contract.

Though he blew most of his exorbitant wealth in 2016, Depp is still worth an eye-watering US$150 million, compared to Heard’s $2.5 million.

What did Heard get in the divorce?

Not much.

He certainly didn’t give her half of his fortune like he promised to give his partner of 14 years, and mother of his children, French model Vanessa Paradis when they split.

Despite receiving a $7 million settlement after her initial allegations of Depp’s abuse in 2016, she pledged to donate the funds to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union. It has since been revealed in court that she only donated a small portion of the funds.

But even when their divorce was finalised in 2017, Depp retained all of his international real estate holdings – including the private island where they wed – and vintage vehicle collection. Heard, meanwhile, walked away with the two terriers, a horse, and two vehicles.

After their divorce, Heard applied for spousal support, asking for $50,000 per month to cover various expenses, including $10,000 for rent, $2000 for eating out, and $10,000 for pet supplies and legal costs.

Heard is counter suing her husband Johnny Depp for US$100 million. Picture: Steve Helber / Pool / AFP

At the time, she said she was only making a small income including $27,000 in film royalties, and proved her savings only amounted to $25,000 at the time, according to Celebrity Net Worth.  She later withdrew the claim.

What about Johnny’s other exes?

Even compared to his former exes, Paradis, Kate Moss, and the original muse Winona Ryder (who is worth a comfortable $18 million), Heard’s finances barely compare.

As of 2022, Vanessa Paradis has a net worth of $100 million, after a long and successful singing, acting and modelling career.

And Kate Moss, the legendary 1990s British supermodel, who testified in this latest defamation case, is worth an estimated $70 million.

Reminder: Heard is worth an estimated $2.5 million.

While the court drama is now over, we always knew the final verdict of the trial would have have a significant impact on both Depp and Heard’s lives; but especially Heard’s.