‘I feel sorry for the trolls’: Thorn Birds’ Rachel Ward, 68, hits back after her looks were criticised
Thorn Birds star Rachel Ward has hit back at trolls who criticized her appearance while promoting ethical meat initiative Farmthru.
The 68-year-old actor took to Instagram last month to thank customers for their support throughout 2025.
Rachel runs a cattle farm in Australia with her husband Bryan Brown, 78, whom she married in 1983 just a few months after they met on the set of miniseries The Thorn Birds.
The couple, who play on-screen husband and wife Luke O’Neill and Meggie Cleary, had three children: Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34.
While promoting her farm business, Rachel’s post was met with some cruel comments from followers.
‘I read that you are 68 years old. He looks so much older! ‘I’m 62 and I can’t believe he’s only a few years older than me,’ one wrote, while another similarly said: ‘Oh my god what happened to you? You were so beautiful???’
Another critic claimed that Rachel’s appearance was due to ‘years of neglect’.
A number of followers came to Rachel’s defence, with one saying: ‘Holy crap terrible comments; ‘She was, she was beautiful and she was doing an incredible job.’
Rachel Ward hit back at trolls who criticized her online appearance when she took to Instagram last month to promote ethical meat initiative Farmthru
Rachel says she feels sorry for those who criticized her appearance in the clip
Ward attended the World Premiere of ‘Beautiful Kate’ as part of the Sydney Film Festival 2009 at the State Theater in Sydney, Australia, on 13 June 2009.
Responding to the comment, Rachel said she was sorry for those who criticized her appearance in the clip.
“Thank you dear lady, you came to my defense,” Rachel wrote.
‘I feel sorry for the poor souls who are so afraid of getting old. They will learn that letting go of youth and beauty as a woman is the ultimate freedom.
‘It was nice while it lasted, but it was so much more than life. You won’t know his tastes until you get there.’
Speaking in 2019, Rachel revealed the undeniable chemistry that existed between her and Bryan on the set of Thorn Birds.
‘He had nice pecs. I mean, it’s pretty chemical, right? “It’s pretty simple,” he admitted.
‘This issue is not given much thought. I liked it. You know, that’s what it was about.’
When asked who made the first move, Rachel couldn’t resist throwing her husband under the bus.
‘It was as slow as a rainy week. It literally took forever. “I think I probably did,” he said.
