Los Angeles, CA – May 2025 – Johnny Depp, the 61-year-old Hollywood icon known for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, has long been a man of mystery, both on and off the screen. In recent years, as he’s stepped back from the Hollywood spotlight, rumors have swirled about his plans for the future—specifically, a potential move to Europe to live out his later years. Depp’s real estate portfolio, valued at over $100 million, includes a series of stunning properties across the continent, from a Provençal village in France to a sprawling estate in Somerset, UK, and possibly even a castle in Italy. These holdings, often acquired discreetly through trusts, have fueled speculation that the actor is secretly preparing to leave the U.S. for a quieter life abroad. But is there truth to these whispers, or is Depp simply indulging his love for historic European properties?
A Portfolio of European Gems
Depp’s affinity for Europe dates back decades, rooted in his 14-year relationship with French singer Vanessa Paradis, with whom he shares two children, Lily-Rose, 26, and Jack, 23. In 2001, at the height of his career, Depp made a bold move that captured headlines: he purchased an entire abandoned village in the South of France, just 17 miles from St. Tropez. Named Le Domaine de la Rêverie, the 37-acre estate in Provence was a dilapidated 19th-century hamlet when Depp acquired it for $12 million. Over the next 15 years, he poured millions into renovations, transforming the village into a family sanctuary complete with a main house, six guest cottages, a private restaurant called Chez Marceline, a wine cave adorned with Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired decor, two swimming pools, and a skate park for his children.
The village, nestled among vineyards and olive groves, became a haven for Depp and his family during his years with Paradis. He took a hands-on approach to the design, preserving the original stone structures while adding personal touches—like converting the village chapel into a guest house and decorating the wine cave with skulls and scarves reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow. The estate, with its 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, hosted countless memories, from intimate family dinners to visits from A-list friends like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Moss. But after Depp’s 2012 separation from Paradis, the village lost its luster. He listed it for sale in 2015 for $63 million, a price that reflected the extensive renovations but failed to attract a buyer. By 2021, the asking price was reduced to $55.5 million, yet the property remains unsold, a silent testament to a chapter of Depp’s life now closed.
Depp’s European investments didn’t stop with France. In 2014, he expanded his portfolio by purchasing a 19th-century estate in Somerset, UK, for £13 million (approximately $16 million). The 850-acre property, often likened to a Downton Abbey-style mansion, features 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, walled gardens, and even a dairy farm. Depp has been spotted there frequently since his 2022 defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, a period that marked a turning point in his public life. In a 2023 interview with Somerset Life, he raved about the area, saying, “I just love places with character,” and praising the British for their understated hospitality. “British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour – without going over the top,” he noted, adding, “I can just be me – and that’s nice.” His comments suggest a deep comfort in Somerset, a place where he can escape the frenzy of fame that often surrounds him in the U.S.
More recently, rumors surfaced in 2024 that Depp was eyeing another European gem: a 12th-century castle in Montalto Dora, Italy, overlooking Lake Pistono. Priced at €4.85 million (around $5 million), the Castello di Montalto Dora caught Depp’s attention while he was filming his latest directorial project, Modì, in the region. The castle, which underwent significant renovations in the 1960s, offers a blend of history and serenity that aligns with Depp’s taste for unique properties. While it’s unclear if he finalized the purchase, the prospect of adding an Italian fortress to his portfolio has only intensified speculation about his long-term plans.
A Desire for Privacy and Authenticity
Depp’s European properties share a common theme: they’re secluded, historic, and deeply personal. Unlike many Hollywood stars who flaunt their wealth with sprawling modern mansions, Depp gravitates toward estates with character, places where he can retreat from the public eye and indulge his artistic passions. His Somerset estate, for instance, allows him to live a low-key life, shopping locally without being mobbed for selfies—a stark contrast to his experiences in Los Angeles, where he owns a compound of five neighboring homes in the Hollywood Hills worth $19 million. In Somerset, he’s described himself as “quite a shy person,” a revelation that might surprise fans accustomed to his larger-than-life screen presence.
This desire for privacy has been a driving force in Depp’s life, particularly in the wake of his highly publicized legal battles with Amber Heard. The 2022 defamation trial, which saw Depp awarded $10 million in damages after Heard’s op-ed implied he was a domestic abuser, was a media circus that left the actor seeking respite. His move to Somerset shortly after the trial, coupled with his comments about feeling at home in the UK, has led many to speculate that he’s laying the groundwork for a permanent relocation. “I like going to places, seeing things, and meeting people – but I’m not the great extrovert that people think,” Depp told Somerset Life, hinting at a longing for a quieter existence as he approaches his later years.
Depp’s potential interest in the Italian castle further fuels this narrative. Filming Modì in Italy—a project that marks his return to directing after years of personal and professional upheaval—has allowed him to reconnect with Europe’s cultural richness. The castle, with its medieval charm and serene surroundings, could serve as another retreat, a place to reflect and create as he enters his 60s. While Depp hasn’t explicitly stated plans to leave the U.S., his actions—spending extended periods in Europe, investing in historic properties, and expressing a preference for the continent’s understated lifestyle—suggest he’s at least considering it as a future home.
The Financial Picture: A Double-Edged Sword
Depp’s ability to maintain such an extensive real estate portfolio, despite financial challenges, adds another layer to the story. Between 1999 and 2016, he earned over $650 million, largely from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but his lavish spending habits left him in financial distress by the mid-2010s. He spent heavily on properties, including the French village, a private island in the Bahamas ($5.35 million), and a $30 million yacht named Vajoliroja, as well as other extravagances like a $5 million cannon to honor Hunter S. Thompson. In 2017, he sued his former business managers for fraud and mismanagement, claiming they cost him millions, while they countered that his “extravagant and extreme” lifestyle was to blame. Despite these setbacks, Depp’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $150 million, bolstered by earnings from films like Alice in Wonderland ($55 million) and endorsement deals with Dior.
His European properties, while valuable, have also been a financial burden. The French village’s failure to sell, despite multiple listings, highlights the challenge of liquidating such unique assets. Annual maintenance costs for his global portfolio are estimated at $6-7 million, a significant expense that has forced Depp to sell off other properties, like his Los Angeles penthouses in 2016 and his yacht to J.K. Rowling the same year. Yet, his Somerset estate and potential Italian castle purchase suggest he’s not deterred from investing in Europe, perhaps seeing these properties as both personal retreats and long-term investments for his retirement years.
A Retirement Dream or a Temporary Escape?
The question remains: is Depp truly planning to leave the U.S. for Europe in his old age, or are his European properties simply a temporary escape from the pressures of fame? On one hand, his comments about Somerset and his extended stays there indicate a genuine affinity for the region. At 61, Depp is at a stage where many stars begin to think about legacy and lifestyle, and Europe’s slower pace, rich history, and relative anonymity could be the perfect setting for his later years. His children, now adults, have their own careers—Lily-Rose as an actress and model, Jack pursuing his own path—potentially freeing Depp to make such a move.
On the other hand, Depp’s deep ties to the U.S.—his Hollywood Hills compound, his Kentucky horse farm (repurchased for his late mother), and his private island in the Bahamas—suggest he’s not ready to fully abandon his American roots. His career, while less Hollywood-centric, still keeps him connected to the U.S., with recent projects like Jeanne du Barry (2023) and art exhibitions like A Bunch of Stuff (2024) showing he remains active in creative circles. A permanent move to Europe might be more of a romantic notion than a concrete plan, a way for Depp to reclaim the peace he’s long sought without completely severing ties to his homeland.
A Legacy of Wanderlust and Reinvention
Whether or not Depp ultimately retires to Europe, his secret ownership of these valuable properties reveals a man who values privacy, history, and self-expression above all else. Each estate—from the Provençal village he lovingly restored to the Somerset mansion where he finds solace—tells a story of a star who has spent his life seeking authenticity in a world of artifice. His potential Italian castle, if purchased, would only add to this narrative, offering a new chapter in a life defined by reinvention.
For now, Depp seems content to split his time between continents, enjoying the best of both worlds. But as he enters his later years, the allure of Europe’s quiet villages and historic estates may prove too strong to resist. If the rumors are true, Johnny Depp might just trade the Hollywood Hills for the hills of Provence, Somerset, or Montalto Dora, living out his days as a modern-day pirate, far from the spotlight that has defined his career.
