Amber Heard filed for divorce just three days after Johnny Depp's mom died: 'He was still coping with the loss'
One of the predominant rumors that plagued Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's messy marriage, apart from domestic abuse allegations hurled by both at each other, was that the actor's mother disapproved of his wife at the time.
Add to this the fact that Heard filed for divorce just three days after Depp's mother, Betty Sue, died after a long illness at 81 and the rumors were quickly fueled. The 30-year-old actress filed a divorce petition on May 23, 2016, citing irreconcilable differences, ending her and Depp's 15-month marriage and seeking spousal support, triggering a battle over Depp's $400M fortune.
The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor had never made any secret of the fact that he was really close to his mother and his sisters. In fact, one of his siblings, Christi Dembrowski, ran his production company Infinitum Nihil and was frequently seen with him on set.
Media reports said that Depp's mother, sisters (Dembrowski and Debbi Depp), and his two children from previous marriage all hated Heard. Sources told TMZ back in 2016 that all of them believed Heard would "treat him like c***", and that his mother thought that the actress was a golddigger and was using him to boost her career.
Although they never dissed the 'Aquaman' actress in public, rumors of their negative stance toward her became potent after Heard said in her divorce filing that she had separated from Depp on May 22, while he was coping with the loss of his mother.
One of the reported causes behind the breakdown of their relationship was the fact that Depp had moved his mother into the Los Angeles compound he shared with Heard.
It was also reported at the time that Depp was warned by his friends against marrying Heard but he ignored their advice and tied the knot with her. “Depp’s inner circle had begged him to not wed Heard or to at least obtain a prenup. Depp ignored his loved ones’ advice,” Stephen Rodrick of Rolling Stone wrote.
Since the actor never even bothered with a prenup, under California family law Heard was legally entitled to half of his earnings during their marriage.
However, a spokesperson of Depp issued a statement following Heard's divorce filing which said that "lies" had been reported about his personal life.
"Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life," it said.
Also, a source close to Heard told People magazine at the time that the actress as a devoted daughter-in-law. "Amber was by Betty Sue's side during this illness," the source said. "And regularly visited her in the hospital."