Veteran actress Rachel Ward has delivered a powerful and dignified response to online trolls who subjected her to cruel, ageist comments about her appearance.
A Farm Promotion Met with Unkindness
The 68-year-old Australian icon, who is married to fellow actor Bryan Brown, 78, took to Instagram last month. Her post aimed to thank customers for supporting Farmthru, her ethical meat initiative from the couple's 350-head beef cattle farm in New South Wales' Nambucca Valley.
Instead of praise for their sustainable work, the post attracted a barrage of negative remarks focused solely on Ward's looks. One follower commented, 'I read she's 68. Looks way older! I'm 62 and can't believe she's only a few years older than me.' Another wrote, 'OMG what the hell happened to u? U were so pretty???'
A particularly harsh critic, claiming expertise from the beauty industry, labelled her appearance 'pure neglect,' citing 'sun damage' and 'teeth.'
Ward's Wise and Refreshing Defence
While many followers quickly leapt to Ward's defence, calling the comments 'horrible' and praising her beauty and work, it was the actress's own reply that resonated most. Replying to a supportive comment, Ward wrote, 'Thanks, you dear lady, coming to my defence.'
She then turned the criticism on its head, expressing pity for her detractors. 'I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much,' Ward stated. 'They will learn that it's ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go. It was lovely while it lasted, but so much more to life. You can’t know its pleasures until you get there.'
Public Support and a Life Beyond Hollywood
Her perspective was widely applauded. Fans praised her 'natural beauty' and 'authenticity,' with one noting they were happy she hadn't turned into a 'plastic surgery mummy.' Others questioned whether younger people understood natural ageing at all.
The incident highlights Ward's life far removed from Hollywood glamour. She and Brown took over their beef farm in 1986 and, after the 2019 Black Summer bushfires, shifted to regenerative farming—a journey documented in her 2023 film, Rachel's Farm.
Born in the UK, Ward moved permanently after marrying Brown in 1983, having met him on the set of The Thorn Birds. The couple have three children: Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34.
In a 2019 interview, Ward recalled the instant chemistry with Brown, joking about his 'nice pecs' and admitting she likely made the first move because he was 'slow as a wet week.' Her life now, dedicated to family and ethical farming, clearly brings her a fulfilment that renders superficial online comments meaningless.
