Captain reported an electrical failure of the cockpit window heat caused a diversion and precautionary landing.

Narrative

While in cruise from ZZZZ to ZZZZ1 on Aircraft X operating as Flight X the forward captain side window heating element started to spark; and smoke could be seen coming from the unit. The crew quickly shut power off to the unit; followed the appropriate checklist; and pulled the circuit breaker for the windshield heat. [We advised ATC]; and we headed directly to ZZZZ1 airport. The office was contacted via sat phone and informed about our situation and talked to Name about further actions that may be needed. While on approach; the Controller started to vector us around; and we told him that we were unable and were flying directly to the field for a visual approach. The Controller then tried to vector us behind other traffic; and we told them unable and told them of our intentions of flying a visual pattern to the airport and that we needed priority handling as we had requested it. The aircraft landed safely; and the fire department looked over the plane. An inspector met the crew; and contact info was given; and we were told to have [Operations] reach out to him.