Rachel Ward isn’t paying attention to negative comments about her appearance. The 68-year-old actress, known for The Thorn Birds, recently gained attention online for her natural look while showcasing her Australian cattle farm with her husband, Bryan Brown, 78. The couple famously met while filming the 1983 mini-series.
While promoting her work, some online commenters criticized actress Ward, saying she looked older than she is and wondering why she didn’t try to look younger. Ward addressed the negativity on Instagram on January 15th, expressing gratitude to those who supported her and firmly responding to her critics.
In a video responding to the recent criticism about her appearance, she playfully said she’d made a little effort that day – ‘I even ran my hands through my hair!’ – and added that people shouldn’t be afraid of getting older.
Ward spoke about the joys of aging, describing her 60s as a deeply satisfying time. She shared that she feels more fulfilled than ever and has no regrets about leaving her younger years behind.
The actress acknowledged she’s no longer the young star people remember, but she’s perfectly happy with where she is in life. She shared, “I’m not young anymore, but I’m very content. Later years are something to celebrate and embrace. You’ll see – they bring their own special rewards.”
She also spoke directly to those criticizing her, encouraging everyone to stop fixating on aging and the pressure to stay young. “I understand we all worry about losing our youth and sometimes go to extremes trying to hold onto it, but it’s better to let go,” she explained. “Embrace it, and good things will happen.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rachel’s Farm (@rachelwardofficial)
Sharon Stone and Sarah Jessica Parker were among those who enthusiastically supported her post. Stone raved that Ward is the “most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” and many fans applauded her for openly embracing natural aging in an industry that often prioritizes flawlessness.
These days, Ward spends most of her time directing and working to protect the environment. She recently directed the feature film Palm Beach and the documentary Rachel’s Farm, which follows her journey into sustainable farming at her family’s property in New South Wales.
Family is incredibly important to her, both personally and professionally. She often works with her husband, and her daughter, Matilda Brown, follows in her footsteps as an actress and director. Their other children, Rosie and Joe, are also pursuing creative careers in areas like interior design and graphic art.
Besides working on the farm, Ward and Brown continue to be involved in Australian television and film. Ward recently directed several episodes of the popular show RFDS and also participated in the Coral Futures Expedition with Australian Geographic, demonstrating her dedication to protecting the environment.
Early in 2026, the novel and miniseries The Thorn Birds became popular again after being added to several major streaming services. This has allowed a new audience to discover Rachel Ward’s acclaimed role as Meggie Cleary, but Ward herself appears to be focusing on her work with the land and conservation rather than revisiting her acting career.
FarmThru, the project started by Ward, is expanding and supplying locally raised, ethical meat to communities in the Northern Beaches. While she playfully notes that farming is more demanding than acting, she finds the connection to the land deeply rewarding and its benefits long-lasting.
Read More
- 39th Developer Notes: 2.5th Anniversary Update
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Here’s Whats Inside the Nearly $1 Million Golden Globes Gift Bag
- The Hidden Treasure in AI Stocks: Alphabet
- TV Pilots Rejected by Networks
- The Labyrinth of JBND: Peterson’s $32M Gambit
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- 20 Must-See European Movies That Will Leave You Breathless
- The Worst Black A-List Hollywood Actors
- You Should Not Let Your Kids Watch These Cartoons
2026-01-18 12:15