Who Is Vanessa Paradis? Inside Lily-Rose Depp’s Mother’s Career and Her Split From Johnny Depp

Lily-Rose Depp has spent much of her life in the public eye as the daughter of Hollywood icon Johnny Depp, yet she has successfully built her own identity in the global entertainment and fashion industries. Now 26, the actress and model has earned recognition for her performances in The Idol and Nosferatu, while also becoming a regular presence at major Chanel runway shows.

Her personal life has also attracted attention, particularly her past relationship with actor Timothée Chalamet, whom she dated between 2018 and 2020 after meeting on the set of The King. While Lily-Rose is firmly established as a star in her own right, her roots trace back to two influential parents. Beyond Johnny Depp, her mother, Vanessa Paradis, has played a defining role in shaping her life and career.

Vanessa Paradis is one of France’s most celebrated cultural figures, known for her work as a singer, actress, and model. She rose to international fame at just 14 with her 1987 hit Joe le Taxi, which topped charts across Europe. Over the years, she expanded her career into cinema, earning France’s prestigious César Award for Most Promising Actress, along with multiple Victoires de la Musique honors for her contributions to music.

In fashion, Paradis became an enduring icon from the late 1980s onward. She has been closely associated with Chanel since 1991, beginning with the brand’s iconic Coco perfume campaign. Her influence clearly extended to her daughter, who now follows a similar path in high fashion. Paradis later married French director Samuel Benchetrit in 2018 and continues to attend major fashion events, often alongside Lily-Rose.

Lily-Rose is known to share an exceptionally close relationship with her mother. The two frequently appear together at high-profile events, including the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris. In past interviews, Lily-Rose has credited her mother with instilling confidence and teaching her the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective on body image and career choices.

Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp were together for 14 years, from 1998 to 2012, and share two children: Lily-Rose, born in 1999, and Jack, born in 2002. Although they never married, their relationship was widely regarded as one of the more stable chapters in Depp’s life. Much of their time was spent in the South of France, away from Hollywood, where Johnny once described the period as a “bliss.”

Their separation was announced in June 2012 and came as a surprise to fans. Both described the decision as mutual and initially refrained from sharing specific details. Over time, they hinted at underlying challenges. Vanessa later suggested that even when love remains, a relationship can still reach its end, while Johnny described the final years as a “bit bumpy” and “unpleasant at times.”

Reports at the time pointed to Depp’s demanding career, particularly the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which required long periods away from home. Their move from France to Los Angeles was also said to have disrupted their private lifestyle. Additionally, Johnny later acknowledged during his 2022 defamation trial that he developed feelings for Amber Heard while filming The Rum Diary in 2011, during his relationship with Paradis.

While this was not presented as the sole reason for their breakup, it reportedly contributed to the strain. Despite their separation, the former couple has maintained mutual respect. Paradis publicly defended Depp during his legal battles, describing him as a “kind, attentive, generous and non-violent person.”