Iconic Aussie actress, 68, reveals why she doesn’t fuss over her appearance after cruel trolls said she looked ‘old’

Rachel Ward has revealed why, at 68, ‘beauty’ is no longer a priority, after being trolled about her appearance online.

The iconic Australian actress, 68, took to Instagram last month to promote her ethical meat initiative, Farmthru.

Rachel, who runs a 350-head beef cattle farm in the Nambucca Valley, with husband Bryan Brown, 78, was thanking customers for their patronage throughout 2025.

However, the seemingly innocuous post was met with some cruel comments from followers. 

After hitting back at the trolls in a now-viral response, Rachel took to Instagram again on Friday to extol the virtues of ageing.      

‘Dear those that responded to the brouhaha over the trolls criticising my appearance, I have tried to do a little better today – I ran my hands through my hair, etcetera,’ Rachel joked.

Continuing, Rachel added that ageing was not something to be feared, but rather something to be welcomed with open arms.   

‘Anyway, just to say, do not fear ageing, it’s a wonderful period of life,’ she said.

‘In [my] 60s, I am more fulfilled than ever and I have no regrets over leaving my youth and beauty behind.’

Rachel then claimed, paraphrasing the poet John Keats, that beauty was the dominion of the young, before admitting that ageing also holds its own charms.   

‘Although I do acknowledge, as Keats says, “youth is beauty, beauty is youth, and that is all you need to know,”‘ she said.

‘Well, I’m not youthful, but I’m a very happy camper and later years are to be exalted and welcomed, and you wait until you get there. 

‘[There are] so many other gifts to bestow that you have no idea what they are until you get there.’

Rounding out her post, Rachel said that she was overwhelmed with the messages of support she received after her trolling incident.

‘But I do recognise that we’re all a little bit worried about losing our youth and resorting to rather drastic ways of holding onto it. But let it go and much bounty will come,’ Rachel said.

She also doubled down on the sentiment in the clip’s caption, joking that she should make more of an effort before taking to social media.   

‘Overwhelmed by the generosity that poured forth after a few fearful trolls went on the attack of my rather unkempt appearance before Christmas,’ she wrote.

‘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.’

Rachel’s post was met with another outpouring of support from followers, including My Kitchen Rules star Colin Fassnidge, who responded with a clapping hands emoji. 

Former Block judge Neale Whitaker also praised Rachel for her refreshing approach to ageing.

‘What a beautiful, generous and eloquent response,’ he wrote.  ‘And I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was dreading my 60s but I’m actually loving them.’

Another follower added: ‘I saw your previous post and was really impressed by how naturally beautiful you are. You are and always have been simply stunning.’ 

A fourth summed up the sentiment of many with: ‘Ageing is an honour and a privilege that not everyone gets to experience, and you are doing it with such grace.’

Rachel’s pre-Christmas post was met with some cruel comments from followers.

‘I read she’s 68. Looks way older! I’m 62 and can’t believe she’s only a few years older than me,’ one wrote, while another offered a similarly cutting: ‘OMG what the hell happened to u? U were so pretty???’

Another critic claimed that Rachel’s appearance was due to ‘years of neglect’.

Rachel responded: ‘I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much. They will learn that it’s ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go.’ 

Born in the UK, Rachel relocated permanently after marrying fellow acting icon Bryan Brown in 1983.

The couple met on the set of the mini-series The Thorn Birds, and went on to have three children – Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34.