Rachel Ward is speaking out against negativity she’s been facing online.
The actress, known for her role as Duchess Meghan “Meggie” Cleary in “The Thorn Birds,” now runs a beef farm in Australia with her husband Brian Brown, who is 78. The couple first crossed paths while filming the 1983 miniseries, and over the years, Ward, now 68, has shared snippets of their life together on Instagram.
Recently, during the holiday season, the star of “Against All Odds” caught attention when fans began to comment on her appearance, suggesting she looked older than her age.
In response to the trolls, Ward posted on Instagram, “To everyone who has responded to the trolls criticizing my appearance, I tried to look a little better today. I even combed my hands through my hair, but I just want to tell you not to be afraid of aging.”
She continued, “My 60s are a wonderful time in my life. I am more fulfilled than ever and have no regrets about leaving my youth and beauty behind. I’m not young, but I’m a very happy camper. The later years should be uplifting and welcoming. I’ll wait until I get there. They’ll give you so many other gifts that you won’t know what they are until you get there.”
Ward expressed that she understands why people might worry about aging and sometimes resort to drastic measures to maintain youth, but encouraged letting go of those concerns.
In her post, she reflected on the support she received amid the trolling, saying, “I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity after a few horrible trolls attacked my rather scruffy figure before Christmas. I’m a farmer now, but I should get my hair done and put on lipstick before I go on social media. I’m sorry I scared some people.”
She also promoted her farm, encouraging others to support local producers, promising a taste difference in quality meat products. Fans seemed to resonate with her message, sharing compliments and affirmations about aging gracefully.
Comments included sentiments like “Still one of the most beautiful women in the world” and “You’re doing aging with so much grace.” Another fan highlighted that aging is a privilege not everyone experiences, expressing admiration for her graceful approach.
The couple, married for nearly 40 years, has three children: Rosie, Matilda, and Joe. In previous interviews, Ward shared that good communication and taking responsibility for mistakes are key to their strong bond.
When they first met, Brown even did a palm reading for Ward, joking about predicting she would have three children, though he quipped he didn’t necessarily mean they would be his.
In a moment of remembrance, Ward recently honored her “Thorn Birds” co-star Richard Chamberlain, who passed away at 90, calling attention to the profound impact he had on her life.
“Goodbye, Father Ralph. Thank you for choosing me to play Meggie,” she captioned a heartfelt post, expressing how rare it is to meet someone who alters the course of your life.
