Rachel Ward looked to fade from the public eye after a promising career in show business.
Instead of pursuing popularity, she focused on her now-39-year marriage to Bryan Brown and their growing family.
She currently has two grandchildren, whom she adores.
Rachel Ward was voted one of the top ten most beautiful women in the world around the time she met Bryan Brown. She was a rising celebrity, having graced the cover of UK Vogue and been nominated for the Golden Globe.
Everyone fell in love with the stunning actress, including her “The Thorn Birds” co-star Richard Chamberlain. Speaking about their time on set, he stated that all of the love scenes were enjoyable to shoot because of his stunning co-star. He fell in love with her, but she was already in love with someone else.
Chamberlain once said that Ward was in love with Brown at the time, implying that she was romantic, but not for him. Despite this, Chamberlain stated that Ward’s energy was contagious, owing to their roles as two lovers.
He claimed that it wasn’t hard to believe that Ward was in love with him and not anybody else. “I thought it was me! It was fabulous. ‘God, she’s really into me,’” he used to think.
From Ward’s point of view, there was something about Brown that attracted her greatly. “He had nice pecs. I mean, you know, it’s pretty chemical, isn’t it? It’s pretty basic,” she gushed about what first led her to fall in love. The truth was, there was just no explanation for what she felt – she liked him, and that was that.
Meanwhile, Brown’s initial impression was that Ward was “not a bad sort.” Despite his instant attraction, he took a long time to show her indicators of interest. This wasn’t a big concern for Ward, according to Brown, who described it as a challenge she was willing to accept until he finally grew up.
When Ward was chosen, it was a no-brainer: the then-35-year-old ladies’ man, who admittedly was a guy frightened of commitment, was tired of playing games. It was now time for him to settle down with none other than the stunning Rachel Ward.
Brown never expected to marry after coming from a damaged family, yet he and Ward married within nine months. He used to tell his mother that he would never marry, until Ward came along and changed his mind.
While many people choose to marry after understanding they have all they could ever want and need in their relationship, Ward and Brown married under different circumstances. Brown was in London at the time, working on a film with Paul McCartney. Ward arrived and got into a heated confrontation.
Choosing a Different Path
The wonderful couple has three children who continue in their footsteps: Their daughter Matilda, born in 1987, is well known for her roles in “Lessons from the Grave,” “How God Works,” and “Let’s Talk About.” Joe, their only son, has starred in “Let’s Talk About” and “Rake,” while Rosie has been in “Black Mirror,” “Inside No. 9,” and “Gangs of London.”
Ward directed the family-friendly film “Palm Beach,” which starred Brown and his daughter Matilda. The family worked together on this endeavor.
In 2019, Ward and Brown became first-time grandparents when their daughter Matilda gave birth to her first son, Zan Neathway Gooding. Brown was with her daughter, staying by her side and waiting to carry his grandson in his arms finally.
Ward and Brown have done an excellent job raising their family. Even though their children are grown, they maintain a close relationship and spend as much time as possible with their in-laws. In 2021, the Browns, Goodings, and Camerons were a joyful family celebrating Christmas together.
Ward claims that if she had married an American and lived in Hollywood, she would have probably have had a third spouse by that point.
With their children all settled down and living their own lives, Ward and Brown are also in a thriving marriage. However, despite 39 years of marriage and counting, Ward admits that she believes there’s more to life than just her marriage and her family life. She said:
“My marriage and family are important to me, but they aren’t the be-all and end-all either. I love to act, and I plan to pursue my career.”
Despite living in Australia for several years, Ward has all of the contacts she needs to stay active in Hollywood. In fact, traveling to Hollywood whenever necessary has been a part of her routine for years.
While it may have been more convenient for her to live in America for her career, Ward claims that if she had married an American and lived in Hollywood, she would have been on her third marriage by that point.
Instead, she’s in a long-lasting relationship with the love of her life, doing as she pleases with her home and family. Her children often proudly share what the actress does whenever she’s not busy with a project.
