The Heartbreak of Johnny Depp (62) and Winona Ryder (54) – One of Hollywood’s Most Famous Love Stories
When Johnny Depp first saw Winona Ryder at a film premiere in 1989, it was like a movie scene. He was 26 and she was only 18, but he said it was love at first sight. They quickly became the most famous couple in Hollywood, especially after they starred together in the movie Edward Scissorhands.
They went on their first date at a friend’s house, where Ryder noticed how quiet he was. Depp was so crazy about her that he famously told the press, I love her more than anything in the whole world. He even got a tattoo that said “Winona Forever” on his arm. This tattoo became a huge part of pop culture because everyone was obsessed with their romance.
Sadly, they broke up in 1993 after being engaged for a few years. Depp later said that the media was like a curiosity monster that eventually ate their relationship alive. He admitted it was a mistake to be so open about their private lives. After they split, he famously changed his tattoo to say “Wino Forever.”
Ryder was also hit hard by the breakup, as she was only 19 and Depp had been her first everything. She once remembered being so sad that she fell asleep with a lit cigarette and woke up to the flames. According to reports from people close to them, she was actually diagnosed with something called anticipatory nostalgia because she was so upset about losing what they had.
When Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder saw each other for the first time after breaking up pic.twitter.com/bZMZFtf60e
— Modern History 𝕏 (@modernhistory) February 19, 2026
Even though they stayed friends for a long time, things got a bit messy when Depp started dating Amber Heard. According to a source for the Daily Mail, Ryder wasn’t happy that he left his long-term partner, Vanessa Paradis, for a much younger woman. Still, when Depp went to court years later, Ryder stood up for his character. She said in a statement that he was never, never that way towards me. Never abusive at all towards me.
These days, both actors are still very busy with big projects. Winona Ryder recently wrapped the final season of the hit show Stranger Things and starred in the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Johnny Depp has been spending more time in Europe, focusing on directing his movie Modi and working on a new Tim Burton documentary that features both him and Ryder.
Johnny Depp is mostly known for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, while Winona Ryder became a star in films like Heathers and Little Women. Even after all this time, director Tim Burton says the two were never the same after they split up. He once said it felt like Winona took Johnny’s soul because he was so heartbroken on the set of his next movie.
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