The actor has reflected on his complicated relationship with his late mother, sharing how their troubled family dynamic shaped both his life and his views on parenting.
In a candid interview with The Telegraph published in July 2025, Johnny Depp spoke about his upbringing and the lasting impact of his mother’s influence. While Betty Sue Palmer played a central role in his life, the 62-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor acknowledged that their relationship was far from simple.
Johnny Depp poses for photos in blue-tinted sunglasses at the UK premiere of “Modigliani: Three Days on the Wing of Madness” in London on July 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
1. Who Was Johnny Depp’s Mother, Betty Sue?
Betty Sue was born in 1935 in eastern Kentucky. She worked as a waitress, often pulling double shifts to support her four children. She passed away on May 20, 2016, at the age of 81 after being ill for a long time.
Johnny Depp and his mother Betty Sue Palmer attend the “Nick of Time” premiere at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, on November 20, 1995 | Source: Getty Images
According to Johnny, his mother came from humble beginnings and battled her own personal struggles from an early age. After his father, a civil engineer, became largely absent from their lives, Betty Sue raised the children on her own. The family moved frequently, over 40 times, before eventually settling in Florida.
2. What Was the Mother and Son’s Relationship Like?
Although their relationship had some unstable moments, Johnny maintained a close connection with his mother throughout much of his life. In a public show of affection, he brought her along to the 2004 Academy Awards, where he received his first Oscar nomination.
Johnny Depp arrives at the 76th Annual Academy Awards with his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, and then-partner Vanessa Paradis at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 29, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
At the same time, Johnny has been open about the darker aspects of their relationship. During court testimony in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard, he described his mother as “violent” and “cruel,” recalling her unpredictable behavior and physical abuse. “She had the ability to be as cruel as anyone can be with all of us,” the actor testified.
He shared vivid examples of her outbursts, saying the violence could involve being struck with an ashtray, a high-heeled shoe, or anything within reach. At her funeral in 2016, he remarked, “My mom was maybe the meanest human being I have ever met in my life.”
Johnny Depp poses on the Oscars red carpet alongside Vanessa Paradis and his mother Betty Sue Palmer | Source: Getty Images
During a past interview with Rolling Stone, he described their home as emotionally barren, calling it a “ghost house” where no one communicated. He said that his childhood environment contributed to his pattern of trying to “fix” people.
Yet Johnny admitted that his feelings toward her remained deeply conflicted. “Betty Sue, I worshiped her,” he once said.
Johnny Depp appears in good spirits at the London premiere of “Modigliani: Three Days on the Wing of Madness” | Source: Getty Images
3. Why Did Johnny Thank His Mom Despite Her Cruelty?
In his Telegraph interview, Johnny said that, in an unexpected way, his upbringing gave him clarity about how he wanted to raise his own children. “I thank her for that. She taught me how not to raise kids. Just do the exact opposite of what she did,” he explained.
This perspective has influenced how Johnny raised his children, Lily-Rose and Jack, with former partner Vanessa Paradis. He has said that his mother’s treatment taught him resilience and helped him prepare for life’s challenges.
Johnny Depp greets fans at The Curzon Mayfair in London | Source: Getty Images
He also recalled a memory from when he was six and being bullied at school. When he told his mother, she offered blunt advice that stayed with him.
“My mom said to me, ‘Alright, here’s the deal, next time anybody puts their hands on you, pick up a brick and lay them out,'”Johnny revealed. That protective instinct, he said, extends to his own children.
Johnny Depp walks through Narita International Airport in Japan with his children, Jack Depp and Lily-Rose Depp, on July 16, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
4. What Was the Actor’s Gift to His Mom with His First Big Paycheck?
In 1995, when Johnny earned his first major Hollywood paycheck, he chose to buy something, not for himself, but for his mother. He reportedly spent around $1 million to purchase a 43-acre horse farm near Lexington, Kentucky. The gift allowed Betty Sue to return to her roots in the state where she was born.
Only after securing her comfort did Johnny purchase his own indulgence, a 1940 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he still owns today. The farm came to symbolize how far they had both come.
