Rachel Ward Transitions from Hollywood to Farming in Australia

Rachel Ward, known for her role in ‘The Thorn Birds,’ has moved away from Hollywood to embrace life as a farmer in Australia. Ward, born into an aristocratic family in Britain, initially pursued a successful modeling career in major cities like London, Paris, and New York before transitioning to acting in Los Angeles in the early 1980s.

Disillusionment with Hollywood

On a recent episode of Australia’s ABC docuseries ‘Australian Story,’ Ward discussed her disenchantment with Hollywood. “You soon find it’s a very vacuous place to inhabit. It’s very empty and it’s very unsatisfying,” Ward observed. The roles she was being offered focused more on fantasy and appearance, rather than substance, leading her to feel undervalued.

Ward admired Oscar-winning British actress Julie Christie and her roles that leaned more towards romance rather than sexuality. However, during her time in LA, Ward noted that actresses were increasingly cast based on their appearance, emphasizing revealing outfits and sex appeal.

Breakthrough and a Life-Changing Role

Ward’s talent shone through in the 1983 miniseries ‘The Thorn Birds,’ where she played Meggie Cleary. The show was hugely successful and earned numerous awards and nominations, including a nod for Ward as best actress in a limited series. During filming, Ward met Australian actor Bryan Brown, who became her husband in 1983. The couple eventually moved to Australia, buying a farm in New South Wales in 1986.

Embracing Australian Life and Family

With their daughters Rosie and Matilda, and son Joe, Ward found Australia to be an exotic and intriguing place to raise a family. She initially split time between America and Australia for work, but motherhood shifted their priorities to make Australia their permanent home.

Ward’s film career in Australia continued with various projects, including directing the film ‘Beautiful Kate’ in 2009. However, she experienced a profound turning point when the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires of 2019-2020 struck. This event prompted her realization that conventional farming was unsustainable.

Shift to Regenerative Farming

Ward and Brown began transitioning their farm to regenerative practices, a change that Ward found invigorating. “The fires were the catalyst to go, ‘We have to change, we have to start doing things differently,'” Ward recounted. Her commitment extended to creating a documentary, ‘Rachel’s Farm,’ which highlights sustainable agriculture and soil restoration.

Confronting Online Criticism

Ward’s life on the farm attracted attention online, some of which was negative regarding her appearance. She posted a video makeup-free and with gray hair, sparking criticism. Still, Ward remained unfazed by this, questioning why women must maintain a youthful appearance at all costs.

Embracing her new life and passions, Ward has distanced herself from the pressures of Hollywood. Today, she measures her success by the well-being of her farm, rather than her former on-screen roles.