You’ve seen the clips. The TikTok memes of the 2022 trial. The grainy courtroom footage. But honestly, if you’re still thinking about Amber Heard as just a legal headline, you’re missing the actual plot.
The story of Johnny Depp’s ex wife didn't end when the cameras in Fairfax, Virginia, stopped rolling. In fact, it kinda took a sharp left turn into a life that looks nothing like the Hollywood hills.
The Quiet Life of Martha Jane Cannary
It’s 2026. If you went looking for Amber in Los Angeles, you’d be wasting your time. She’s long gone. Basically, she ditched the "chaos" of the States—as her friends call it—and moved to Spain.
She didn't just move, though. She swapped her name. According to local reports and legal documents, she’s been using the pseudonym Martha Jane Cannary. If that sounds familiar, it should. That was the real name of the Wild West legend Calamity Jane. Talk about a statement.
Living in Madrid has changed her vibe completely. Locals see her at the park. She’s at the grocery store. She’s not hiding, but she isn't exactly calling the paparazzi either.
Motherhood times three
The biggest update? Amber is now a mom of three. We all knew about Oonagh Paige, her first daughter born via surrogate in 2021. But in May 2025, she shocked everyone by announcing the arrival of twins—Agnes and Ocean.
She posted a photo of their tiny feet on Instagram. No big magazine cover. No multi-million dollar "first look" deal. Just a caption about her family being "complete." It’s a far cry from the days of $100 million lawsuits and global scrutiny.
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What happened to the movie career?
People always ask: "Is she blacklisted?"
The answer is... complicated. She was in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), but her screen time was famously slashed. Director James Wan said it was always the plan to focus on the "bromance" between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson, but nobody really buys that as the only reason.
Lately, her work has been... different.
- She starred in an indie thriller called In the Fire.
- She did a theater production in the US in late 2025 called Spirit of the People.
- She’s mostly sticking to smaller, European-adjacent projects.
Honestly, the "A-list" door might be shut for a while. Hollywood is a business of risk assessment. Right now, her name still carries a lot of baggage for major studios.
The Johnny Depp Connection: Where do they stand?
They don’t. Not really.
The settlement was finalized in late 2022. Amber paid Johnny $1 million, which he famously donated to five different charities (like the Make-A-Wish Foundation). That was the end of the legal war. Since then, it’s been total radio silence between them.
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Interestingly, Depp’s other famous exes—like Lori Anne Allison and Vanessa Paradis—have always been very vocal about him. Lori, his first wife, still defends him to this day. She once called the situation with Amber "horrific." Vanessa, who was with him for 14 years, described their time together as "bliss" in a 2025 interview.
It creates this weird dichotomy in the public eye. You have these women from his past speaking about a "gentle" man, while Amber’s testimony painted a picture of a "monster."
The Reality of the "Global Exile"
Was she exiled? Or did she just leave?
A lot of the 2026 narrative surrounding Johnny Depp’s ex wife suggests she felt she had no choice. The internet wasn't just mean; it was aggressive. When a jury finds you liable for defamation, and the entire world is watching you through filtered memes, the air gets thin.
Madrid offers something LA never could: a fresh start. In Spain, the culture isn't as obsessed with the trial's minutiae. She speaks Spanish fluently. She’s integrated.
Why it still matters
The Depp-Heard saga changed how we look at celebrity trials. It was the first "Trial by TikTok."
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Even now, legal experts study the case for its "chilling effect" on domestic abuse reporting. Others point to it as a win for men who feel they’ve been falsely accused. There is no middle ground here. You’re usually on one side or the other.
What’s next for Amber?
If you’re looking for a big Hollywood comeback, don’t hold your breath. It seems she’s leaning into the "European Actress" niche. Think smaller films, more artistic control, and way less red-carpet madness.
She’s focusing on raising her kids in a place where they aren't "the kids of that actress from the trial."
Actionable Insights for Following the Story:
- Check European Film Festivals: If you want to see her new work, look at the Taormina or San Sebastian festival lineups.
- Follow Local Madrid Outlets: Spanish tabloids like ¡Hola! often have more accurate sightings than US-based sites.
- Wait for the Book: Rumors of a memoir have been circulating for years. If it happens, it will likely be the final word on her side of the story.
The era of the "Pirates" and "Aquaman" power couple is dead. What’s left is two people living very different lives on different continents. Amber Heard is building a family in the sun, while Johnny continues his comeback tour in music and film.
Stay updated on the actual film credits rather than the gossip blogs. The industry data usually tells a much more honest story than a viral tweet ever could.