Rachel Ward Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Husband, Children, Movies, Awards, Religion

Rachel Ward is a distinguished British-Australian actress, director, screenwriter, and former model renowned for her captivating performances in iconic 1980s films and miniseries such as The Thorn Birds and Against All Odds.

She has transitioned successfully into directing and filmmaking while embracing a life centered on family, sustainability, and regenerative farming in Australia.

Rachel Ward
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Rachel Claire Ward
Stage Name:	Rachel Ward
Born:	September 12, 1957 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England
Nationality:	British-Australian
Ethnicity:	Caucasian
Height:	175 cm
Religion:	Christianity
Parents:	Peter Alistair Ward and Claire Leonora Ward
Siblings:	Tracy Ward (Tracy, Duchess of Beaufort)
Spouse:	Bryan Brown
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Rosie Brown, Matilda Brown, Joe Brown
Occupation:	Actress, Director, Screenwriter, Former Model
Net Worth:	Estimated at $10 million USD

Early Life and Education

Rachel Ward was born on September 12, 1957, in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England, to parents Peter Alistair Ward, an aristocrat and third son of the 3rd Earl of Dudley, and Claire Leonora Ward.

She grew up in Cornwell Manor in a privileged yet complex family environment. She has a sister, Tracy Ward, later known as Tracy, Duchess of Beaufort.

Her ethnicity is Caucasian. Religion: Christianity. Ward left school at age 16 to pursue modeling and later attended post-graduate studies in communications at the University of Technology, Sydney, earning an M.A. She also trained with Stella Adler and Robert Modica for acting.

Career

Rachel Ward began as a fashion model in London, Paris, and New York before moving into acting.

She gained international fame with roles in Sharky’s Machine (1981), Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), and especially as Meggie Cleary in the acclaimed miniseries The Thorn Birds (1983). Her performance in Against All Odds (1984) further solidified her status.

In the 1990s and beyond, she shifted focus to directing and screenwriting, creating acclaimed shorts and features like Beautiful Kate (2009) and Palm Beach (2019).

She has directed episodes of series such as RFDS, Last Days of the Space Age, and Darby and Joan.

Her 2023 documentary Rachel’s Farm explores sustainable agriculture on her property. Ward balances creative work with advocacy for environmental regeneration.

Awards and Nominations

• Golden Globe Award nominations for The Thorn Birds and other works
• Tokyo International Film Festival Award for Best Actress
• Australian Film Institute Awards for short films
• Member of the Order of Australia (Am) for services to the arts and conservation

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rachelwardofficial

Personal Life

Rachel Ward, 68 years old, has been married to Australian actor Bryan Brown since 1983 after meeting on the set of The Thorn Birds. The couple has three children: Rosie Brown, Matilda Brown, and Joe Brown.

They live on a large regenerative farm in New South Wales, where family and sustainability remain priorities. No other past relationships are prominently documented publicly.

She maintains a grounded lifestyle focused on farming, philanthropy, and creative fulfillment. Her height is 175 cm.

Net Worth

Rachel Ward‘s net worth is estimated at $10 million USD, reflecting combined assets with her husband. Income derives from her acting career in major films and television, directing and screenwriting projects, producing work, and long-term investments tied to their Australian property and farming operations.

Filmography

• Sharky’s Machine (1981)
• Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
• The Thorn Birds (1983, miniseries)
• Against All Odds (1984)
• Beautiful Kate (2009, director/screenwriter)
• Palm Beach (2019, director/screenwriter)
• Peter Rabbit (2018, voice)
• Rachel’s Farm (2023, documentary, director)
• Darby and Joan (2022–, director)
• Last Days of the Space Age (2024, director)