‘The Thorn Birds’ Star Rachel Ward, 68, Responds to Online Critics with Grace and Humor
Actress addresses viral social media commentary about natural aging while promoting regenerative farming initiative
Main Highlights:
- Rachel Ward addresses online criticism regarding her appearance with confident video response
- Former actress runs sustainable cattle operation in Australia with husband Bryan Brown
- Couple celebrates over four decades of marriage after meeting on iconic miniseries set
Graceful Response to Internet Commentary
Rachel Ward, beloved for her portrayal of Meghan ‘Meggie’ Cleary in the acclaimed 1983 miniseries “The Thorn Birds,” recently found herself at the center of social media discussion after holiday photos sparked widespread commentary about her appearance. The 68-year-old actress, who now operates a beef cattle farm alongside her husband Bryan Brown, 78, in Australia, has regularly shared glimpses of their rural lifestyle on Instagram.
Following a surge of remarks suggesting she appeared older than her years, Ward addressed the situation directly through a Thursday video post combining humor with substance.
Direct Address and Business Promotion
“To those who responded to the controversy surrounding critics of my appearance, I’ve made a modest effort today—ran my hands through my hair, for instance. But ultimately, I want to say: don’t fear the aging process,” Ward stated in her video message.
Rather than dwelling on negativity, she strategically pivoted to promoting her agricultural venture, explaining: “I could retreat from public view, but I’m passionate about promoting my new initiative @Farmthru_ where customers can purchase delicious regeneratively-raised steaks, chickens, eggs, pork and lamb at curbside hubs in the Northern Beaches. Explore it and support farmers who prioritize land health, animal welfare, and your wellbeing. The quality difference is remarkable. Bulk purchasing options available.”
Overwhelming Support From Followers
The actress’s candid response generated tremendous positive feedback from her social media audience, with supporters offering enthusiastic encouragement.
“STILL among the world’s most beautiful women. Period,” one follower declared, while another contributed, “You’re as gorgeous as you’ve always been!”
Additional commenters celebrated her authentic approach: “You are beautiful ♥️,” one user wrote, with another adding, “Aging represents an honor and privilege not everyone experiences, and you’re embracing it with such grace. ❤️”
A particularly thoughtful response came from a fellow woman in her demographic: “Dear Rachel, representing all 60-70+ women flourishing in our maturity, unconcerned about wrinkles and gray hair, I must say you’ve perfectly expressed the joy of aging gracefully. It’s a privilege to age while maintaining good health and fitness of mind, body and soul. Young women, please note: aging is a sheer delight that’s impossible to imagine until you arrive here.”
Enduring Marriage and Family Life
Beyond agricultural pursuits, Ward and Brown marked their 40th wedding anniversary in 2023. The couple shares three children: Rosie, Matilda, and Joe.
Brown previously shared his perspective on their lasting union with The Mirror, offering tongue-in-cheek advice: “The main thing is agreeing with your wife consistently, and if problems arise, say, ‘It’s my fault.’ Men who understand this principle would find greater happiness.”
Serendipitous Meeting
The pair’s romance began on the “Thorn Birds” set where they portrayed husband and wife. During production, Brown provided Ward with a palm reading predicting she would have three children.
As the “Cocktail” star later joked: “Yes, I made that prediction, but I didn’t specify they would be mine!”
Honoring Lost Co-Star
This past April, Ward paid tribute to Richard Chamberlain, their “Thorn Birds” co-star who passed away at age 90 in March following stroke complications.
“Goodbye Father Ralph. Thanks for choosing me to play Meggie,” Ward wrote in her memorial post, which featured an image from the series. “There are only a few people you encounter in a lifetime who change your life’s direction. You were one of them and a lovely person besides.”
From Hollywood to Agriculture
Ward’s transition from Hollywood leading lady to regenerative farming advocate represents an unconventional but fulfilling career evolution. Her willingness to address aging commentary while simultaneously promoting sustainable agriculture demonstrates a pragmatic approach to public life refusing to be diminished by criticism while leveraging attention toward meaningful initiatives.
The actress’s confident response to appearance-focused commentary resonates particularly in an era of heightened discussion about aging, beauty standards, and authentic self-presentation, especially for women in entertainment. By acknowledging the situation with humor before redirecting conversation toward substantive topics like sustainable farming, Ward models an approach that neither ignores nor obsesses over public opinion.
Her decades-long marriage, successful family life, and purposeful second career in regenerative agriculture present a compelling counter-narrative to Hollywood’s traditional emphasis on youth and appearance demonstrating that fulfillment and relevance extend far beyond conventional entertainment industry metrics.