Rachel Ward Graces Event with Husband of 40 Years — They Enjoy ‘Adorable’ Grandkids Living on Farm That Fire Nearly Destroyed

• Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown have been happily married for over four decades.
• They are now grandparents and love being around their grandchildren.
• Before their grandchildren were born, Brown was nervous.

Rachel Ward was an 80s icon, with her roles in "The Thorn Birds," "Against All Odds," and "Sharky's Machine" making her a household name. However, her career is not the only successful aspect in her life. Her forty-year marriage to fellow actor Bryan Brown is one of Ward's most significant achievements.

Brown also burst onto the movie scene in the 80s and starred alongside his wife in "The Thorn Birds." In fact, they first met on the set of the miniseries and fell in love through the course of filming.

Once, Brown read Ward's palm and accurately predicted that she would have three children, although he did not tell her they would be his.

Brown admitted that despite being grateful for all the work opportunities he received following the success of "The Thorn Birds," he gushed:

"I will always be more grateful to it for my 40-year marriage and family."

After Ward and Brown tied the knot, they moved to a farm and began raising cattle. Thirty-three years later, the 2019-20 Australian Bush Fires almost ravished the couple's home.

Ward saw the climate crisis as a sign to venture away from conventional farming methods and choose regenerative agriculture instead. This type of farming focuses on reducing farming's ecological impact and improving soil health.

Their home on the farm is a miner's stone cottage built in the 1840s. It is situated in Sydney's Birch Cove and overlooks the water. The couple brought their three children up on the farm and then bought the cottage next to them, where Ward placed her paintings, furniture, and colorful fabrics.

The couple's favorite place in their house is the verandah that spans two rooms' length and where they often entertains guests. They also love their neighborhood because of its Bohemian atmosphere.

What Is The Secret To Their 40-Year Marriage?

Ward and Brown have been married for four decades and are often asked what the secret to their enduring marriage is. The couple, who have aged gracefully and peacefully in their waterfront cottage, are always keen to share their thoughts on marriage.

On why they decided to wed, Brown revealed he and Ward had a massive argument, and he thought that since they were already arguing, they might as well get married. He proposed shortly after that.

The pair exchanged vows at Ward's childhood home in Oxfordshire, England, before moving to Sydney, where they raised their three children—Rose, Matilda, and James.

These days, the couple rarely spends time at home as they love to travel. They also enjoy spending time watching British TV. When asked what the secret to their long marriage is, Brown quipped:

"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 also said he does not believe that show businesses marriages don't last, only that the tabloids write exclusively about the ones that fail. Brown thinks Hollywood marriages have as much chance of surviving as any other.

Ward admitted that even though their marriage was successful, they had taken each other for granted a time or two during their union. However, becoming grandparents brought them closer than ever.

"I Was A Bit Worried About This Grandfather Business": Their Life As Grandparents

The couple's first grandchild, a boy named Zan, was born to the couple's daughter, Matilda, in 2019. Unconventionally, Matilda's mother and father were in the delivery room when her child was born.

Brown stood behind his daughter as she labored, stroking her head and soothing her as Ward cheered her on, telling her she could do it. Matilda admitted it was special to have both her parents there for such a momentous occasion.

While Brown was loving and supportive of his daughter during labor, he was nervous about the baby's arrival. He admitted:

"I was a bit worried about this grandfather business. Everyone said, 'You're going to love it and everything.' And I said, 'Well, let me work that out.'"

Before Zan was born, Brown had reservations about welcoming a new addition to the family. But when his grandson finally came into the world, he confessed he wanted to grab him, love him, and spend as much time as possible with him.

Matilda joked that it did not take much to make her father happy; all he needed was a coffee, a brownie, and his grandchild. She also talked about how much her father loved to visit his grandchild.

Matilda welcomed her second child, Anouk, in 2021, and while the pandemic caused Brown not to see his grandchildren, he still talked to them often and couldn't wait to hold them again.

Brown also said that his grandchildren "grew enormously" when he didn't see them for 17 weeks. He mentioned that he didn't want to see them grow anymore without being able to hold them.

Brown's youngest grandchild, who was just an infant when he saw her last, had begun standing up on her own when he saw her next. Although he felt he missed vital moments, he was grateful for his "adorable" grandchildren nonetheless.

Fortunately for Brown, he can now spend time with his grandchildren as usual. He and Ward are enjoying their time as grandparents, as well as traveling and watching their favorite sitcoms together. Ward and Brown are a wonderful couple with a beautiful family.

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