Rachel Ward’s Move from Hollywood to Farming in Australia

Rachel Ward, known for her role in “The Thorn Birds,” has openly discussed her transition from Hollywood to farming in Australia. Born to a British aristocratic family, Ward established a modeling career in London, Paris, and New York before venturing into acting in Los Angeles during the early 1980s.

Disillusionment with Hollywood

Ward recently shared her thoughts on leaving Hollywood during a segment on the Australian Broadcasting Company’s (ABC) series “Australian Story.” She expressed disillusionment with the entertainment industry, noting that her experience in Los Angeles was “vacuous” and felt disconnected from reality.

“You soon find it’s a very vacuous place to inhabit … it’s very empty and it’s very unsatisfying,” Ward said. “I was just make-up, I was fantasy.”

Ward aspired to emulate Oscar-winning actress Julie Christie, famous for roles Ward deemed “romantic rather than sexual.” Upon arriving in L.A., she found roles often emphasized sexuality over substance.

Her notable role came with the television series “The Thorn Birds,” which earned critical success, including 16 Emmy nominations and six wins, along with eight Golden Globe nominations and four wins.

Life Changes and Love

While filming “The Thorn Birds,” Ward met Australian actor Bryan Brown, her on-screen husband. They fell in love and married in 1983. The couple relocated to Australia, buying a farm in the Nambucca Valley in 1986.

In an interview with Women’s Weekly, Ward described how Australia influenced her priorities, especially after becoming a mother to daughters Rosie, Matilda, and son Joe. Initially splitting time between America and Australia, they ultimately settled in Australia.

“I thought it was completely exotic and fabulous,” Ward said. “It was very foreign, very different. I was definitely romanced by it.”

Ward adapted her career to focus more on Australian projects.

Embracing Farming

The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires marked a turning point for Ward, prompting a shift to regenerative farming. Her farm escaped severe damage, but the experience highlighted climate change fears and led her to reconsider conventional farming methods.

Ward embraced regenerative farming, seeing it as a new challenge and opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally.

“The fires were the catalyst to go, ‘We have to change, we have to start doing things differently,'” she said.

She became a full-time farmer, focusing on sustainable practices, culminating in her documentary “Rachel’s Farm” on soil restoration and sustainable agriculture.

Response to Criticism

Ward faced online criticism after sharing a video of her life on the farm, appearing makeup-free and sporting gray hair. While met with supportive comments, some critiqued her appearance.

“Women weren’t allowed to have a wrinkle, weren’t allowed to go gray. Why do we feel we’ve got to pretend that we’re still 40 when we’re 68?” Ward responded.

This prompted conversation about societal pressures on women’s appearances as they age.

Her focus now is on farming and the positive feedback on her work with cattle rather than public perception of her looks.

Ward concluded with a wry observation, “The more wretched I looked, the more followers I have,” emphasizing the irony in the reaction to her natural appearance.