Amber Heard first captured public attention in 2006 with her role in the horror film “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” which set the stage for her rise to international stardom.

However, two decades later, Heard’s life has taken a different turn, contrasting sharply with the glamorous A-list existence she once led.

The actress, who celebrated her 40th birthday on Wednesday, has traded the red carpet for a more serene life in Madrid, leaving behind the whirlwind of celebrity events and high-profile appearances.

Her relocation to Spain follows the conclusion of a high-profile $50 million defamation lawsuit with ex-husband Johnny Depp, renowned for his role in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The case, which came to a head in 2022, marked a significant turning point in her life.

Since her courtroom loss to Depp, which many described as a career-ending defeat, Heard has been focused on rebuilding her life away from the public eye.

Originally from Texas, Heard has not taken on any acting roles since the trial. Some within Hollywood circles suggest she has been effectively ‘blacklisted’ in the aftermath of the highly publicized legal battle.

Amber and Johnny first met in 2009 when they were cast in the Hunter S. Thompson adaptation of The Rum Diary.

They started dating in 2012 and tied the knot in a civil ceremony in 2016, though the marriage only lasted just over a year.

Amber filed for divorce and a restraining order against Johnny in May 2016, accusing the actor of being abusive throughout their relationship.

‘I am very happy that I have moved on with my life and keep moving on with my life,’ the actress said at the time in an interview with the Associated Press. ‘I just keep wanting to do with my life that which makes it better for other people and myself.’ 

She continued: ‘And doing the right thing and moving forward and dedicating yourself to justice, truth, to doing what’s right and helping others when you can – that’s everything to me. That’s all I’m interested in.’ 

Johnny then filed a 2019 lawsuit against Amber for defamation over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, in which she wrote about alleged abuse.

While she had not mentioned Johnny by name, his legal team argued there was ‘a clear implication that Johnny is a domestic abuser.’

After a six-week televised battle, Johnny was ultimately awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

Amber counter-sued and was awarded $2 million in damages, and while both parties appealed, they settled the case in December 2022.

‘After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia,’ the actress wrote at the time.

‘It’s important for me to say that I never chose this. I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed.’

Amber added: ‘The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward.’

She concluded with, ‘Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to.

‘I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.’

The outcome would be the catalyst for geographical change as Amber became the subject of death threats and humiliating memes.

In the immediate fallout, Amber sought refuge in Mallorca.

She rented a property under the name of Martha Jane Cannary, the real name of legendary Wild West cowgirl Calamity Jane.

She then settled in Madrid with her daughter, Oonagh Paige, now four, and her now ex-girlfriend, photographer Bianca Butti, 45.

When she first split with Johnny in 2016, Amber dated Elon Musk until 2018 and a year later was linked to The Flash director Andy Muschietti.

She then settled down with Bianca in 2020, with whom she had an on-and-off relationship for two years.

Butti has over 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry, having worked on hit reality series as a cinematographer, including for VH1’s Love & Hip Hop and Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta.

It was a calculated move abroad, with Amber said to be keen on distancing herself – quite literally – from the fallout of the defamation trial.

Without fuss and courting little publicity, the actress quietly gave up her fast-paced life in Southern California and started her new life in Spain. 

‘The trial was beyond stressful, and she wanted to start fresh,’ a source told PEOPLE, adding she now ‘has new energy and is focused on things that she loves.’

In 2024, it was reported that Amber had become ‘well and truly integrated’ into the Spanish capital’s elite after buying a €1.5million home in the trendy northern district of Chamartin.

The five-bed property, featuring a garden and three bathrooms, counts millionaires, footballers and politicians as neighbours – who all enjoy being just a short drive from the heart of the city centre.

Amber’s pad was first built in the 1960s but reportedly underwent renovations shortly before being sold to the actress.

Speaking on her move, a neighbour in El Viso told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘She lives here and I often see her walking her daughter to school in the mornings.

‘She wears a cap and sunglasses and normal clothes and keeps a low profile.

‘She lives here in peace, this is a neighbourhood filled with famous people, including football players, but no one bothers each other, I think that’s why she likes it – she has completely integrated into the community.’

Amber’s neighbour added: ‘When Amber first arrived there were lots of photographers parked outside the home but now there are none.

‘No one here really knows who she is, they don’t recognise her in the street like they would in America.

‘When I saw all the commotion around her I had to ask my friend who she was and she explained she was Johnny Depp’s ex.’

Pointing to another house she added: ‘An Atlético Madrid player lives there and no one even knows it, everyone keeps to themselves.’

So committed is she to embracing local culture that Amber has even learned the language, with her impressive command of Spanish evident in a previous TikTok video.

It was reported that Amber’s daughter Oonagh attends a private catholic school for children aged one to six that teaches in both English and Spanish.

A local newspaper report from 2017 said the fees were around €600 per month, or €7,200 per year, although they are likely to have increased since then.

After picking up her daughter from school in the afternoons, the pair are often seen visiting an American supermarket called Taste of America.

An employee told the Daily Mail: ‘She comes here a lot in the afternoon with her little girl, my colleague has served them many times.

‘I assume she likes to buy things that remind her of home, we have all kinds of stuff from the USA here.’

The store sells Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Betty Crocker baking products, pumpkin pies and an array of American candy.

Amber herself admitted relief at putting the ordeal behind her and moving on with her life, telling Savannah Guthrie of TODAY: ‘I get to be a mom full-time, where I’m not having to juggle calls with lawyers.’

When she is not blending in with her local community, Heard likes to go running in the famous El Retiro park in the centre of the capital.

She was swamped by paparazzi there following the announcement that she is expecting a second child.

As the photographers congratulated her she responded in Spanish: ‘Thank you very much. It is my private life and I ask for respect.’

When asked if she plans on staying in the country, she replies in perfect Spanish: ‘Yes, I hope so. Yes, I love living here. I hope you are well, ciao. And thank you, nice to meet you.’

The following year, Amber welcomed twins, whom she carried, and announced the news in a Mother’s Day post in May. 

‘Mother’s Day 2025 will be one I’ll never forget,’ the 3 Days to Kill star said. ‘This year I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I’ve strived to build for years.

‘Today I officially share the news that I welcomed twins into the Heard gang. My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full. 

The Drive Angry actress continued: ‘When I had my first baby girl Oonagh four years ago, my world changed forever. 

‘I thought I couldn’t possibly burst with more joy. Well, now I am bursting times three!!!’

On a more sombre note, Amber said ‘becoming a mother by myself and on my own terms despite my own fertility challenges has been the most humbling experience of my life.’

She added: ‘I am eternally grateful that I was able to choose this responsibly and thoughtfully. 

‘To all the moms, wherever you are today and however you got here, my dream family and I are celebrating with you.’

She concluded her post, ‘Mama and babies are enjoying every minute. And Oonagh is happily running the show.’

The following month, Amber returned to acting after two years, when she starred in the movie Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Although her performance was not for a mass audience, she made her stage debut as part of the world premiere production of playwright Jeremy O. Harris’ (Slave Play) new project Spirit of the People, via Variety.

She performed in the play at the Williamstown Theatre Festival through to August. 

Amber then brought her twins Ocean and Agnes out in public for the first time as she celebrated Halloween in Madrid that year.

She took to Instagram with multiple photos of her outing trick-or-treating with the kids, as she was dressed as a witch in a black dress with a pointed hat.

‘Halloweening with my minnies,’ Amber captioned an accompanying post.

In November of that year, Amber gave a rare insight into her family life as she shared an array of unseen photos from Thanksgiving celebrations over the years. 

The actress took to Instagram to share an array of snaps from her years of family dinners, as well as a rare picture of her eldest daughter Oonagh when she was younger. 

The first snap showed Amber posing behind a huge spread, which included sweet potato casserole, turkey and a massive bowl of mashed potatoes. 

In a picture from a different Thanksgiving year, Amber was seen cooking up a storm as she fried chicken in a pan while in another throwback she was seen prepping vegetables with her father David. 

She was also seen serving up food at the table as her daughter Oonagh sat in a high-chair when she was still a toddler. 

Amber captioned the snaps: ‘Thanksgiving cheers over the years. A look back at all the full hearts and plates I’ve shared.

‘Hoping you are well topped up on both this year.’ 

While it’s clear Amber has fully moved on with her life since the trial, she made a rare remark on how the 2022 defamation trial has impacted her life years later.

The actress opened up about the topic in the new documentary Silenced which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026.

‘This is not about me. I have lost my ability to speak. I am not here to tell my story,’ Amber said in a confessional for the documentary, per Variety. 

‘In fact, I don’t want to use my voice anymore. That’s the problem,’ she further told the director of the film Selina Miles.