Iconic actress Rachel Ward has delivered a powerful rebuke to online trolls who criticised her appearance, using the incident to champion a positive view of getting older. The 68-year-old star, now a dedicated farmer, faced a barrage of negative comments after a simple social media post last month.
A Farmer's Post Sparks Cruel Comments
In December, Rachel Ward took to Instagram to promote Farmthru, her ethical meat initiative, and to thank customers for their support. The post, which featured the actress on the 350-head beef cattle farm she runs with her husband, actor Bryan Brown, 78, in New South Wales' Nambucca Valley, was intended to be innocuous. However, it attracted a slew of cruel remarks about her looks from some followers.
Comments ranged from speculating she looked older than her 68 years to asking 'what the hell happened' to her. One critic even suggested her appearance was due to 'years of neglect'. Rather than ignore the vitriol, Ward decided to address it head-on.
Embracing Ageing with 'Open Arms'
After initially hitting back in a now-viral response, Ward returned to Instagram on Friday with a reflective and eloquent message. She began with a light-hearted joke, stating she had 'run my hands through my hair' in an attempt to look more presentable. Her tone then shifted to a profound meditation on life's later chapters.
'Do not fear ageing, it's a wonderful period of life,' she urged her followers. 'In my 60s, I am more fulfilled than ever and I have no regrets over leaving my youth and beauty behind.' She acknowledged the poet John Keats's link between youth and beauty but firmly placed herself in a new, contented phase.
'I'm not youthful, but I'm a very happy camper and later years are to be exalted and welcomed,' Ward declared. She emphasised that the gifts of ageing are unknown until one experiences them, describing it as the 'ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go'.
An Outpouring of Support and Shared Sentiment
Ward's candid post resonated deeply, prompting an overwhelming wave of support. She expressed being 'overwhelmed by the generosity' that followed the initial trolling. In her caption, she quipped, 'I’m a farmer now, but really should do my hair and apply some lippy before I go on social media. Apologies for frightening a few of you.'
Celebrity friends and followers praised her stance. My Kitchen Rules star Colin Fassnidge responded with applause emojis, while former Block judge Neale Whitaker called her response 'beautiful, generous and eloquent', agreeing that he was 'actually loving' his 60s. Another supporter noted that 'ageing is an honour and a privilege that not everyone gets to experience'.
Born in the UK, Rachel Ward relocated permanently to Australia after marrying Bryan Brown in 1983. The couple, who met on the set of the legendary mini-series The Thorn Birds, have three children: Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34. Her latest chapter, far from the Hollywood spotlight, is clearly one she embraces with wisdom and grace.
