Rachel Ward, 68, Shuts Down Aging Critics: 'Let It Go'

LONDON, GB – In a refreshing display of self-acceptance, veteran actress Rachel Ward, best known for her iconic role in the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds, has firmly responded to online criticism regarding her natural aging process. At 68, Ward, who now balances a life between acting and running a cattle farm in Australia with her husband Bryan Brown, has become an unexpected voice celebrating the later stages of life.

The Viral Moment and the Unwanted Attention

The recent furore began after Ward shared a video promoting her beef cattle farm, which she co-manages with her husband, 78. The post, intended to showcase their rural life, quickly attracted unwelcome commentary. Trolls targeted her appearance, suggesting she looked older than her years and questioning why she hadn't pursued cosmetic interventions to maintain a more youthful façade.

For many celebrities, such commentary might spark defensiveness or silence. However, Ward chose a different path: direct, heartfelt engagement. She took to Instagram on January 15th to address both the critics and the outpouring of support she received from fans who rushed to her defence.

A Message of Acceptance for the Trolls

Ward’s response was delivered with characteristic grace, though firm in its message. Addressing those who commented negatively, she began: "Dear those of you who responded to the brouhaha over the trolls criticizing my appearance, I have tried to do a little better today. I ran my hands through my hair, etc. but anyways, just to say, do not fear aging."

The actress, who famously played Meghan 'Meggie' Cleary, conveyed a profound sense of peace with her current stage of life. She emphasised that her 60s have been an unexpectedly fulfilling chapter. "It's a wonderful period of life, in your 60s. I am more fulfilled than ever and I have no regrets, leaving my youth and beauty behind," she stated.

This sentiment directly challenges the pervasive cultural pressure, particularly on women in the public eye, to relentlessly pursue an illusion of eternal youth. Ward's affirmation that she is "not youthful, but I am a very happy camper" resonates powerfully in an era obsessed with filters and anti-ageing narratives.

Exalting the Later Years

Ward’s message extended beyond simply dismissing the critics; it served as an exhortation to embrace the future. She highlighted the unexpected rewards that come with maturity, rewards that are invisible to those still clinging to their younger years.

"Later years are to be exalted and welcomed. You wait until you get there. They have so many other gifts to bestow that you have no idea what they are until you get there," she explained. This perspective shifts the narrative from viewing ageing as a loss to seeing it as a period of cumulative gain—wisdom, contentment, and perspective.

Gratitude for Public Support

While Ward was resolute in her personal stance, she was visibly moved by the positive reaction from the wider public. She expressed being "overwhelmed" by the number of people who defended her against the negativity.

"Don't worry about me," she urged her supporters, before offering a final piece of advice to those caught in the cycle of trying to halt time. "I do recognize that we're all a little bit worried about losing our youth and resorting to rather drastic ways of holding on to it, but let it go... Let it go and much bounty will come."

A Life Beyond Hollywood Glamour

Rachel Ward’s life trajectory has seen a notable shift from Hollywood glamour to a grounded existence on an Australian farm alongside Bryan Brown, whom she met on the set of the series that catapulted her to international fame. This dual existence—a celebrated actress and a working farmer—adds weight to her grounded perspective on life.

Her recent comments align with a growing movement among established figures in entertainment who are choosing authenticity over the often-strenuous demands of maintaining an unrealistic public image. As Ward elegantly puts it, the goal isn't to rewind the clock, but to fully inhabit the present, regardless of the reflection in the mirror. Her powerful yet gentle plea to "let it go" is set to inspire many navigating the complexities of ageing in the public eye and beyond.

Rachel Ward's commitment to embracing her current reality serves as a refreshing counter-narrative to the relentless pursuit of youth, positioning her not just as a celebrated actress of the past, but as an important voice for the present.