Rachel Ward's Instagram post blew up - but the main pile-on came from a surprising source

[canetoad]

Interview with Rachel Ward, 'Thornbirds' actor about her age and appearing on Instagram without makeup and looking (gasp!) her age.
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Women suffer from facial prejudice; we get judged on our looks in a way that men don’t. What else can explain the furore that erupted when Rachel Ward – actor, director, matriarch, beef cattle farmer and co-founder of Farm Thru – dared to post a video to her Instagram grid not wearing any make-up?

The trolls went into a feeding frenzy. “I wish I never saw her like that!” exploded one Instagram follower. “OMG!! What the hell happened to her? Wow! She has aged really bad.” “She looks ravaged.” “How dare she let herself go!”

Sadly, trolls are no longer just fairytale creatures dwelling under a bridge. But Rachel, who is 68, refuses to be cowed. I met my friend for lunch to discuss the art of having a sensational second – or third – act.

Ageist sexism is sewn into our psyche, isn’t it? While a man our age is celebrated as a “silver fox”, we are denigrated as old hags and bags. I was so furious on your behalf. What did you make of the pile-on?

https://www.theage.com.au/national/rachel-ward-s-instagram-post-blew-up-but-the-main-pile-on-came-from-a-surprising-source-20260414-p5znrq.html

https://archive.md/kGg0d

[Scrivener7]

1. She looks great.

[canetoad]

2. I thought so too nt

[2MuchNoise]

3. I still have a crush on her.

[calimary]

4. And she's still beautiful!

[ShazzieB]

5. Ageism and misogyny comined are a highly toxic combination!

[Cha]

6. Good Grief.. She looks great and healthy!

Last edited Wed May 13, 2026, 12:07 AM - Edit history (1)

She's only 68.. You can tell she takes good care of herself.

I swear, I was thinking of the movie "Against All Odds" with her and Jeff Bridges the other day.

Mahalo... People get older, that's what we do. James Garner said, "It's better than the alternative." That's mostly true.

[orleans]

7. i think she looks wonderful--she looks like rachel ward.

i was never very impressed with her acting skills (thornbirds & against all odds) but always thought she was pretty. she's still pretty. good for her. fuck those trolls that all probably look like shit anyway