Johnny Depp sends Amber Heard divorce settlement cash straight to charities

Johnny Depp is sending the divorce settlement money he owes Amber Heard straight to two charities she named as beneficiaries.

The couple's nasty three-month legal battle ended earlier this month (Aug16) and the Pirates of the Caribbean star agreed to pay The Danish Girl actress $7 million.

She promptly announced plans to give all the cash to two charities, the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and rather than pay the settlement to his ex, and allow her pass on the cash to the two charities, Johnny has sent cheques in her name to the organisations, and will continue to pay them $3.5 million each in instalments.

A representative for the 53-year-old actor tells TMZ.com, "Following Amber Heard's announcement that her divorce settlement was to be divided equally and gifted to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union, two exceptionally deserving and important charities, Johnny Depp has sent the first of multiple instalments of those monies to each charity in the name of Amber Heard, which when completed will honour the full amount of Ms. Heard's pledge.

"Ms. Heard's generosity in giving to these wonderful causes is deeply respected."

As part of its work to protect the vulnerable the ACLU works to improve America's provision of services for women who are victims of domestic violence.

The couple's divorce battle took a bitter turn just days after Amber filed for separation in May (16), after she requested a domestic violence restraining order against her estranged husband. The warring spouses' legal battle rumbled on until August (16) when they agreed to settle and Amber withdrew her domestic violence petition.

After agreeing to settle their differences, Amber and Johnny released a joint statement, which read: "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love... There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains."