Rachel Ward today: ‘The Thorn Birds’ star found love, fame, and a new life in Australia
At 68, the actress who brought Meggie Cleary to life is still creating, inspiring, and breaking barriers
Rachel Ward captured hearts in the 1983 TV hit The Thorn Birds—but her real-life story is just as compelling, filled with unexpected love, personal growth, and creative reinvention.
Before she became known as Meggie Cleary, Rachel Ward was making waves in the fashion world. Born in Oxfordshire, England in 1957, she left school at just 16 to pursue modeling. Her beauty landed her covers on Vogue and Cosmopolitan, but her ambition reached beyond the camera’s lens.
In the late 1970s, she moved into acting, landing small roles that would soon lead her to the opportunity of a lifetime—starring in The Thorn Birds, a 10-hour miniseries based on the bestselling novel by Colleen McCullough.
The role that changed everything
In The Thorn Birds, Ward played Meggie Cleary, a complex character who ages from a romantic teenager to a mature woman. It was a bold role for someone still new to acting—and the competition was fierce. More than 200 women were considered, but producers saw something special in Ward.
Despite self-doubt and criticism at the time (including a rough review from The New York Times), she delivered a performance that resonated with millions. The series drew over 30 million viewers and won multiple Golden Globes and Emmys.
More importantly for Ward, it’s where she met her future husband, Australian actor Bryan Brown, who played her on-screen husband Luke O’Neill.
A love story born on set
While Ward’s character had a forbidden romance with Richard Chamberlain’s Father Ralph, real-life sparks flew between her and Brown. Their chemistry was undeniable—both on and off camera. Even Chamberlain later said he’d “never seen two people more in love.”
The couple married just months after filming wrapped and eventually settled in Australia. They’ve now been together for over 40 years and have three children: Rose, Matilda, and Joseph.
Ward continued to act, earning another Golden Globe nomination in 2001 for On the Beach. But she also stepped behind the camera, producing and directing films like Martha’s New Coat and The Big House.
She studied writing and communications in Sydney and used her voice to champion social issues. In 2005, she was awarded the Order of Australia (A.M.) for her work supporting disadvantaged youth.
She’s also embraced her role as a mother—and now grandmother. Her daughter Matilda followed in her footsteps into acting and filmmaking, and the two even starred together in The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, playing the same character at different ages.
Still glowing at 68
Now 68, Rachel Ward lives a quieter life in Australia, still working in film and spending time with family. She recently welcomed a new granddaughter, celebrating the moment on Instagram with heartfelt joy.
Despite the years, her passion for storytelling hasn’t faded. She continues to speak out about ageism in Hollywood, especially for women over 40, and encourages others to embrace the power of reinvention.
“I think they tried to make me something I wasn’t naturally,” she once said, reflecting on her early acting days. “Now, I feel more confident in who I am.”
From a teenage model to an international TV star, to a celebrated Australian filmmaker and advocate, she’s lived many lives—and continues to inspire.
Meggie Cleary may have been her breakthrough, but Rachel Ward’s true legacy is the life she’s built after the cameras stopped rolling.
