Actress Rachel Ward, known for her role in ‘The Thorn Birds,’ recently responded to online criticism about her looks after people were surprised to learn she is 68 years old.
The actress’s decision came as a surprise, especially considering her private life. She enjoys a simple, down-to-earth existence on her farm in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband, Bryan Brown, who is 78 years old.
Their love story began on the set of the TV miniseries The Thorn Birds in 1983, and they’ve been happily married for over 40 years.
In the popular miniseries, Rachel’s character, Meggie, found herself caught between two love interests: Ralph, played by Richard Chamberlain, and Luke, played by Bryan.
There was a clear connection between them even when they weren’t filming, and they both admitted to feeling an immediate physical attraction, which was what first brought them together.
Looking back at their immediate connection in 2019, Rachel jokingly said, ‘He was physically attractive. It was a very natural, almost instinctive attraction, really.’
She added: ‘There’s not much thought goes into it. I fancied him. You know, that was about it.’
When asked who made the first move, Rachel couldn’t resist throwing her husband under the bus.
‘He as slow as a wet week. Really took forever. I think I probably did,’ she said.
Bryan insisted he was just being a ‘cunning Aussie bloke’ in taking his time and keeping her keen.
‘And before they know it, they’re hooked!’ the legendary actor joked.
The couple married quickly after they met and later had three children: Rosie, Matilda, and Joseph. They are now also proud grandparents to Matilda’s children, Zan and Anouk.
They now live on their beef cattle farm in the Nambucca Valley and have been married over 40 years.
In a 2022 interview with the Mirror, Bryan reflected on his nearly 40-year marriage to Rachel, and noted just how incredibly popular the show they were both a part of was globally.
While any career benefits were appreciated, I’m most thankful it led me to my 40-year marriage and family.
He playfully recalled feeling an immediate connection with her, joking that he once read her palm and correctly predicted she’d have three children. He then lightheartedly added, ‘I did say that, but I didn’t say they’d be my kids!’
Even after forty years together, the couple maintains their independence, each pursuing their own interests and activities within the family.
Rachel has wholeheartedly focused on the farm, even making a documentary about it called Rachel’s Farm. Meanwhile, Bryan has been busy with filming projects or staying at their house in the city.
In a 2024 interview with Women’s Weekly, she shared that she and her husband are both comfortable with their independence. After 40 years of marriage, she believes it’s healthy for them to have some separate time and space, as they are both self-sufficient individuals.
They say opposites attract, and the pair couldn’t have come from more different upbringings.
Bryan grew up in South West Sydney, coming from a working-class background, while Rachel was raised in the affluent Cotswolds region of England, with a privileged upbringing.
I came of age in a self-indulgent environment, and my family didn’t seem to have a clear set of beliefs. My father always prioritized what was best for himself when he voted, rather than what would help the community. That’s why I was so drawn to Bryan – he had strong moral principles, instilled by his mother and his Catholic upbringing, and he consistently voted for the Labor party. I really admired that about him.
Bryan hadn’t thought about getting married before he met Rachel. His own father left when he was a child, and he grew up watching his mother raise him and his sister on her own, which made him view marriage differently.
Honestly, it was SO fast! He met Rachel, and within months he was down on one knee! Can you believe it? She wasn’t immediately sure, which, okay, fair enough, but she actually said, ‘I don’t know, can’t you ask me again later?’ It was adorable and a little nerve-wracking, even just hearing about it!
However when he said, ‘maybe not’, Rachel agreed and was excited to embark on a life in Australia.
Rachel and Bryan decided to settle in Oz because Bryan felt strongly about living there, and Rachel was happy to move, having no particular attachment to England.
Although being away from home was difficult, Matilda has shared that Bryan was a huge source of support for her mother.
Rachel shared, ‘I struggle with inner darkness, while Bryan seems to always see the bright side of things. Maybe that’s why we’re drawn to each other – we create a balance.’
Rachel recently responded to online critics who made harsh comments after she posted a video about Farmthru, her project focused on ethically sourced meat.
One person commented that they read the woman is 68, but she appears much older, especially considering the commenter is 62 and only a few years younger. Another user bluntly asked what happened to her appearance, recalling that she used to be very attractive.
Another critic claimed that Rachel’s appearance was due to ‘years of neglect’.
Many people rushed to support Rachel, with one commenter writing, ‘Seriously, these awful comments are unnecessary – she’s always been beautiful and is doing fantastic work.’
Honestly, it really bothered me to hear Rachel talk about the negativity she faced regarding how she looked in the video. She said she actually felt sorry for the people criticizing her, and I thought that was such a powerful response. It showed a lot of grace and maturity, and honestly, it made me admire her even more.
‘Thanks, you dear lady, coming to my defence,’ Rachel wrote.
It’s sad to see people so afraid of getting older. They’ll eventually realize that true freedom for a woman comes from accepting that youth and beauty don’t last forever.
It was a good experience, but there’s a whole world of other things to enjoy. You’ll discover those joys when you reach them.
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2026-01-14 04:04