Following her performance in 1983’s “The Thorn Birds,” American actress Rachel Ward became well-known.

Fans don’t believe she has changed much since starring in the series, even though she is currently in her mid-60s.

Ward gained both fame and adoration from the series. On the set of the production, Ward and her spouse first connected, and their romance soon grew.

But according to the actress, it wasn’t love at first sight.

Bryan Brown portrayed the series’ protagonist, Ward, and she was married to him. Despite having “basic” interest at first, their relationship developed into a love one that led to the couple’s marriage in real life.

After forty years of marriage, Brown and Ward are still as much in love as they were at first. A few months after “The Thorn Birds” filming concluded, they got married.

Although Ward acknowledges that the show has given her numerous possibilities for employment and other significant experiences, her ongoing marriage to Brown is what she is most grateful for and proud of.

On one occasion, Brown volunteered to read Ward’s palm while the couple was on set. He informed her that she would have three children when she consented. Afterwards, he joked:

Yes, that is what I said. However, I did not declare them to be mine.

Brown gave a slightly unusual explanation for why she wanted to wed Ward. When they argued, it was because the two had gone to Ireland together for Brown to film “Give My Regards to Wall Street.”

According to Brown, the fight was quite serious, and he reasoned that since they would be at odds so much, it would be best for them to get married. Before relocating to Sydney, Australia, they were married in Ward’s boyhood home.

On April 16, 2023, the pair commemorated their 40th wedding anniversary and revealed the keys to their lengthy and contented union. At 65, Ward has also flaunted her timeless beauty.

What Kind of Family Does Ward Have and How Does She See 65?
At the Santa Barbara Film Festival’s “Rachel’s Farm” premiere, Ward posted a picture of herself with Hilary Shapiro and Daryl Hannah on February 18, 2023.

While some fans were excited about watching Ward’s film, others could not believe how wonderful she looked at 65. One person called her a “goddess,” and another described her as “fantastic.”

Other fans said she would always be Meggie from “The Thorn Birds” in their minds, and one gushed:

“Rachel, you’re absolutely stunning!”

A comment left under a post by Rachel Ward on Instagram | Source: Instagram.com/rachelwardofficial

When Ward was not working on movies or building up her Hollywood resume, she created a family with her husband. The couple shares two daughters named Rosie and Matilda and a son named Joe.

All three of the children followed in their parents’ acting footsteps. Joe is known for his roles in “Rake” and “Let’s Talk About,” yet there are no other known titles the 31-year-old has starred in.

36-year-old Matilda expanded her horizons to encompass not only acting but directing too. She worked alongside her brother on “Let’s Talk About” but also has credits on “Lessons from the Grave” and “How God Works.” Ward’s eldest child, 39-year-old Rosie, has credits in “Luther,” “Black Mirror,” and “See How They Run.”

Ward and Brown are incredibly proud of each of their children, and their daughter, Matilda, blessed them with their first grandchild in 2019. The little boy named Zan was born with his grandfather in the room. When asked about why he chose to stay and watch the birth, Brown said:

“No one in the delivery room told me to get out, so I didn’t.”

Only Ward was meant to be in the room when Zan was born, but his delivery surprised his grandparents. The couple was having dinner with Anthony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister when they received frantic messages from Matilda. She was clearly in labor, and the couple rushed to the hospital.

When they arrived, Brown took up his position behind his daughter, patting her head to reassure her. He believed he had seen the births of all his children and shouldn’t miss his grandson’s birth.

Now, the couple has more grandchildren and loves spending time with them whenever possible. Brown feels a keen longing when he has to be away from his family, which happened when he had to film a movie during COVID.

However, any time Brown and Ward spend with their family, they treat it as sacred and rejoice that they are all healthy and happy. Their beautiful family often leads fans to ask how they managed to stay so happy and in love all these years. The couple readily answers the question each time.

What is the Secret to Ward and Brown’s Marriage?
Now that Brown and Ward’s careers have slowed and their children have all made their way in life, they have found themselves with few responsibilities and more time to spend with one another.

Ward and Brown like riding horseback to embrace their newfound freedom fully. Brown began riding horses when he filmed “The Thorn Birds” while Ward grew up riding horses, so it turned into a shared passion for the couple.

Brown and Ward have ridden horses in Bulgaria, Canada, and Israel and have even planned horseriding trips closer to home in New Zealand.

When they are not galloping around the globe, the couple enjoys snuggling up in front of the TV and streaming their favorite British television shows. Yet watching TV and riding horses together is not the only thing that keeps their marriage together.

Brown talked about what he thought had led to the couple being together for so many years, joking:

“The main thing is to say ‘Yes’ to your wife all the time, and if anything goes wrong, say ‘It’s my fault.’ If men understood that, they’d be happier.”

Brown’s philosophy appears to have worked, as the pair often look happy and very much in love on Ward’s Instagram page. In 2019, Ward shared a photo of her husband pointing at her as he sat in a comfortable chair surrounded by greenery.

She joked that she was shooting her husband’s centerfold for Women’s Weekly Center and was glad he was fully clothed. She has also shared many photos of herself and her husband at special events.

Ward enjoys showing Brown off on social media and once posted a photo of him with an open shirt, messy hair, and a semi-precious stone necklace. She quipped: “I’ve got my complaints, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” What a beautiful couple!