As Depp testifies in defamation case, he shares how his mother’s death brought clarity about ending his relationship with Heard
During testimony on Wednesday (20 April) in Fairfax County, Johnny Depp opened up about the impact of his mother Betty Sue Palmer’s death, explaining how it led him to recognize the need to end his marriage to Amber Heard. Palmer passed away in May 2016 after a period of illness. Depp recounted the painful moment he brought his children to visit her in the hospital, describing how she lay unresponsive but still fighting in her final moments.
“We said our goodbyes, speaking to her in her final hours, and shortly after, she passed,” Depp shared, reflecting on the intense emotions of that day. The experience left him and his children with deep grief but also allowed them closure. He went on to describe how her passing made him reconsider certain aspects of his own life.
“When you lose someone you love, you’re left with the pain and sorrow,” he added, explaining that her death opened his eyes to the brevity and fleeting nature of life. Depp shared this insight, saying, “Life is like a birdsong; what feels like a century is, in reality, just a moment, a millisecond.”
