Thorn Birds star Rachel Ward has hit back at trolls who criticised her appearance as she promoted her ethical meat initiative Farmthru.

The actress, 68, took to Instagram last month to thank customers for their patronage throughout 2025.

Rachel runs a beef cattle farm in Australia with husband Bryan Brown, 78, who she married in 1983 just months after meeting on the set of the mini-series The Thorn Birds.

The couple – who played husband and wife Luke O’Neill and Meggie Cleary on screen – went on to have three children – Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34.

While promoting her farm work, Rachel’s 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’.

Several followers leapt to Rachel’s defence, with one saying: ‘For god’s sake, horrible comments – she was, is beautiful and doing an incredible job.’

 
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Rachel Ward has hit back at trolls who have criticised her appearance online when she took to Instagram last month to promote her ethical meat initiative Farmthru

 
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Rachel said that she felt sorry for those who were critical of her appearance in the clip

 
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Ward attends the World Premiere of ‘Beautiful Kate’ as part of the Sydney Film Festival 2009 at the State Theatre on June 13, 2009 in Sydney, Australia

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Replying to the comment, Rachel said that she felt sorry for those who were critical of her appearance in the clip.

‘Thanks, you dear lady, coming to my defence,’ Rachel wrote.

‘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.

‘It was lovely while it lasted, but so much more to life. You can’t know its pleasures until you get there.’

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Speaking in 2019, Rachel revealed the undeniable chemistry that existed between her and Bryan on the Thorn Birds set.

‘He had nice pecs. I mean, you know, it’s pretty chemical, isn’t it? It’s pretty basic,’ she admitted.

‘There’s not much thought goes into it. I fancied him. You know, that was about it.’

When asked who made the first move, Rachel couldn’t resist throwing her husband under the bus.

‘He was slow as a wet week. Really took forever. I think I probably did,’ she said.