This Actress Was Loved by Millions but Traded Hollywood for a Farm – Her Transformation

The English-Australian native once opened up about why she stepped away from fame, explaining that she never regained her confidence after an ordeal.

The star is best remembered for her role in the film "The Thorn Birds," where she met her husband of more than 40 years, Bryan Brown. Together, they raised two daughters, Rosie and Matilda, along with their son, Joe Brown.

Over time, the actress stepped away from the spotlight, embracing a quieter life abroad. Here's how she has changed — beginning with her current lifestyle and tracing back to her early days in entertainment.

2025

Over the years, her path has shifted in ways few might expect. Once known for her roles on screen and magazine covers, she now spends her days on a farm in rural Australia with her husband, Bryan.

Their land sits in the quiet Nambucca Valley in New South Wales. Life there might seem busy at times, but for them, it's just another regular day on the farm. For years, she has worked hard to change the family's longtime holiday spot into a farm that helps the land heal.

This isn't just something she does for fun — she means every bit of it. After facing three years without rain and the harsh bushfires during the 2019 – 2020 Black Summer, she knew something had to change.

2023

Climate change and years of intense farming caused serious damage to the land. Quick action became necessary. This effort to restore the dry soil was documented in the film "Rachel's Farm," which shows the steps taken to bring the land back to life.

2021

As part of this work, the family now raises regeneratively farmed beef on their small farm in New South Wales.

2019

In an interview once, the actress shared that on most days, she works alongside farm manager and neighbor Mick Green, often staying at the property by herself while Bryan spends time in the city or travels for filming.

2014

Taking charge of the struggling land and embracing a new, earth-friendly farming approach has brought renewed purpose to her life. The British-born farmer found a strong bond with the land that feels truly meaningful.

2012

At first, she found Australia exciting and full of surprises. "I thought it was completely exotic and fabulous," the actress said. "It was very foreign, very different. I was definitely romanced by it."

2010

Life on the farm has brought big changes. People around her say she seems more at peace since spending more time there. When asked if she finally feels like she belongs, the celebrity stated:

"I do. I was never going to be a quintessential Australian."

2009

While her looks gave her chances, she added, "In a way, it stopped me developing." Looking back, she shares that the entertainment world never fully felt like home.

2005

While it gave her chances, it also held her back. Farming, she says, is what truly fits her — something real, tough, and hands-on.

2004

Her connection to the outdoors started when she was young. The celebrity felt the most joy during weekends and school breaks, playing around the farm like it was her own adventure spot.

2003

"One of the great fun things to do as a kid was to stand in one of the harvesting bins and be rained on by corn and mice and rats and other things," she recalled. She also remembered the shepherds, the lambs, and spending time with ponies.

2000

The woman behind this journey is Rachel Ward, widely recognized for her role in the well-known TV drama "The Thorn Birds," which brought her international fame.

1999

Before stepping into acting, she built a name for herself in the fashion world, modeling in both the United Kingdom and New York. Her work in front of the camera quickly led to a successful acting career.

1998

Even though "The Thorn Birds" was a big hit, Rachel faced harsh criticism for her role. In another interview, the film star divulged:

"When I got slaughtered, I really took it to heart. I never really got my confidence back after that."

1991

"As an actress, obviously you need a bit of talent," she continued. "I think you need enormous guts to have a go at it." Rachel said that self-confidence was important for the job, but it was something she lacked.

1990

She mentioned feeling honored to be part of "The Thorn Birds," though she had no desire to go through the same experience again.

1980s

Rachel and Bryan met while working on "The Thorn Birds" and quickly connected. She later moved to Australia, where she took on directing roles and still acts occasionally. In a joint interview, Bryan once said their connection was instant.

For him, what stood out was the way they got along. He felt at ease around Rachel and enjoyed her sense of humor. Their bond grew quickly, and Bryan proposed only a few months after they met.

Rachel was unsure at first and asked if he could wait. But when Bryan said he might not ask again, she agreed to marry him. At the time, she didn't think much about how long life could be. She had already lived in New York and Los Angeles, and the idea of moving to Australia felt new and exciting.

At first, the plan was to live part-time in the United States, where she had most of her work, and part-time in Australia. But things shifted after they had children. "America wasn't my country, and it then became obvious that we were going to be here," she explained.

Rachel said she quickly understood that Bryan could never live anywhere else. "It's like his blood, he's plugged into it. All his energy, all his spirit, all his passion, all his football teams, his culture – he's just so deeply Australian and so deeply loyal to it," she said, adding:

"I don't have the same feeling about England, especially my England, the England that I came from."

Although they raised three children together, she admitted, "It's not easy not to live where you come from," and shared that she had often struggled to find her "real place" in Australia.

Though Rachel sometimes felt out of place, family support stayed strong. Their child Matilda said Bryan was calm and caring, always ready to help. This steady presence differed from Rachel's more serious nature, which she compared to Bryan's natural lightness.

Rachel believed this contrast might be what drew them together and helped create balance in their relationship. Describing herself as a bit of a "whingeing Pom" and Bryan as the "optimistic Aussie," the film director noted that both traits can exist in one person.

At times, she felt his positive outlook missed certain details, while he likely found her cautious views overly doubtful. This balance showed not just in their personalities, but also in their upbringings.

The Australian actor is naturally careful and steady. Rachel, on the other hand, challenged ideas and pushed boundaries. Their backgrounds were also far apart. She grew up in a wealthy part of England, while Bryan was raised in working-class southwest Sydney.

The mother of three once shared that she and Bryan were complete opposites. Her early life was filled with luxury but lacked clear values. Bryan, shaped by his upbringing and strong beliefs, impressed her with his deep sense of right and wrong.

In addition, Rachel also divulged that they do not rely on each other for everything. She explained that both she and Bryan are comfortable being alone. After more than 40 years together, having space now and then feels like a good balance. She said they live quite independently.

Rachel Ward's life has moved from screen to soil, shaped by change, challenge, and purpose. Her journey through fame, family, and farming reflects a deep shift in what matters most to her.

Despite their differences, she and Bryan have built a lasting partnership grounded in respect and support. Through it all, Rachel has found meaning not in the spotlight but in the land beneath her feet.