Rachel Ward is clapping back at internet trolls who criticize her for aging naturally.
The Thorn Birds star, 68, posted a video on Instagram jokingly apologizing for scaring people with her “pretty scruffy look” recently.
“Dear people who have responded to the trolls criticizing my appearance, I tried to improve myself a little today. I even combed my hands through my hair, but just don’t be afraid of aging,” she began her message, giving some advice to other women.
“My 60s are a wonderful time in life. I am more fulfilled than ever and have no regrets about leaving my youth and beauty behind,” she continued.
“I’m not young, but I’m a very happy camper. The later years should be uplifting and welcoming. I’ll wait until I get there. They’ll give you so many other gifts that you won’t know what they are until you get there.”
The former model added that she was “overwhelmed” by her supporters and offered some advice.
“Don’t worry about me,” she declared. “I recognize that we all worry a little about losing our youth and try to resort to some pretty drastic measures to maintain it, but let it go.”
“If you let it, a lot of good will come of it,” she continued, thanking those who have defended her and shown support amidst the criticism. “I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was amazing to receive such a response from everyone.”
Ward became a big star when he starred opposite Richard Chamberlain in the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds. It was also here that she met her husband, Brian Brown, 78.
The couple married in 1983 and had three children: Rosie, Matilda, and Joe.
Instagram/@rachelwardofficial
She currently runs a beef farm with her family in rural New South Wales.
“I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity after a few scary trolls attacked my rather scruffy figure just before Christmas,” Ward wrote alongside the video.
The “Against All Odds” star jokingly apologized for “scaring some people” before highlighting her farm’s produce, which includes “steak, chalk, eggs, pork and lamb.”
She also “apologized” for not styling her hair or applying “lip balm” before posting on social media.
