Australian actress Rebel Wilson has been awarded $4.5 million in damages in her defamation case against Bauer Media.
The 37-year-old convinced an all-female jury that Woman's Day, Australian Women's Weekly, OK! and NW magazine defamed her in her eight articles published in May 2015.
Justice John Dixon said in the Supreme Court on Wednesday a large amount was required to "vindicate" Wilson after her reputation as an "actress of integrity was wrongly damaged".
"Only a substantial sum in damages could convince the public that Ms Wilson is not a dishonest person and bring home the gravity of the reputational injury established before the jury," Justice Dixon said.
"In the full media glare, Bauer Media’s defence of this case attempted to characterise its articles as true or as trivial or not likely to be taken seriously.
"Unless substantial damages are awarded there is a real risk that the public will not be convinced of the seriousness of the defamation, but will rather wrongly conclude that the articles were trivial or not that serious."
Bauer Media was ordered to pay $650,000 in general damages, including aggravated damages, and more than $3.9 million in special damages for Wilson's lost screen roles due to the false claims.
Justice Dixon said Bauer had acted in its own corporate interests to increase circulation without thinking of the reputation damage it would do to Wilson.
He also said the publications had affected Wilson both physically and psychologically.
Wilson, who was seeking more than $7 million, has previously said she would be donating the money she was awarded from the case to charity, and to support young actors and the Australian film industry.
Following the ruling, Wilson tweeted out: "I'm looking forward to helping out some great Australian charities and supporting the Oz film industry with the damages I've received."
Speaking outside court, Wilson's lawyer Richard Leder said the verdict set a "significant record"
"It is about four times the highest previous verdict in a defamation case in Australia," he told reporters.
"When the jury returned its verdict, Rebel said that this case wasn't about money. She said that it was about holding Bauer Media to account."
Bauer Media also released a statement in relation to the decision.
"Bauer Media has a long history of delivering great stories to our readers and we have a reputation for developing some of the best editorial teams in this country. This is what we are focused on," general counsel Adrian Goss said.
"It is about continuing to do what we do best and that is delivering great content to more than 85 per cent of Australian women across the country via our iconic portfolio."
The high-profile trial played out over four weeks with Wilson taking to the stand.
