Inside Rachel Ward And Bryan Brown's 'Thorn Birds' Love Triangle And Marriage Of Over Four Decades

Australian actress, Rachel Ward, has been hogging the headlines for her appearance for a while now. For the unversed, it was on January 16, 2025 (ET) that the actress took to her social media account and addressed the buzz about her "not keeping up her appearance". The actress reacted to the trolls and defended the ageing process.

The English-born actress, Rachel Ward, has always been an icon both on and off screen. While we are all very well-versed with her career, it is her personal life that has truly been a heartwarming journey, especially her solid marriage with actor, Bryan Brown. So, as she proves, whether she ages or not, she will forever be an icon. Let us take a look at her love story with Bryan.

The contrasting worlds of Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown

Before we dive into the love story of Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown, let us introduce you to the actors. Rachel was born in Oxfordshire near Chipping Norton, England. She is the daughter of Claire Leonora and the Honourable Peter Alistair Ward. Her grandfathers were also very well-known figures in their times, with her paternal grandfather, William Ward, the Third Earl of Dudley, and her maternal grandfather, the cricket legend Giles Baring. Her sister is the Duchess of Beaufort, Tracy Louise Ward.

Rachel attended Hatherop Castle School and later joined the Byam Shaw School of Arts before dropping out at 16 to pursue a career in fashion and photography modelling. During her modelling career, she appeared on the cover of several magazines, including Vogue, Harper's & Queen, and Cosmopolitan. She eventually made her acting debut with Sharky's Machine in 1981, and there was no looking back for her after that. Meanwhile, Bryan Brown came from an extremely contrasting background.

He was born in Panania, Sydney, to salesman, John 'Jack' Brown and pianist Molly Brown. Bryan began working at AMP as an actuarial student and would act in amateur theatres, where he discovered his love for acting. He eventually made his big-screen acting debut in Scobie Malone in 1975. He delivered two lines and was listed last in credits as 'Brian Bronn'. So, how did these two vastly different people cross paths?

How did Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward meet?

Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward were completely focused on their passion for acting, building their respective careers. However, little did they know that fate had different plans for them. Just a few years after their debut in the film world, both stars signed on to The Thorn Birds in 1982, where they first crossed paths.

From an on-screen love triangle to saying 'I Do' within months of their meeting

When the couple met in 1982, the spark between them was undeniable. Rachel Ward played the lead opposite Bryan Brown and Richard Chamberlain. While Rachel's character, 'Meggie', didn't end up with Bryan's on-screen character, 'Luke' and instead found a passionate ending with 'Ralph' (Richard), the off-screen magic between Bryan and Rachel was intensifying with every passing day. 

Once Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown finished filming The Thorn Birds, they didn't waste any time tying the knot. Just months after the film's completion, they married in Rachel's childhood home in England in 1983. The next year, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Rosie. In 1987, Rachel and Bryan became parents once again with the birth of their second daughter, Matilda, and in 1992, they welcomed their third child, a son, Joe. 

After a decade of being married, Rachel Ward gave up her British citizenship and applied for Australian citizenship. They continued to work on their respective careers, with Rachel marking her directorial debut with Beautiful Kate in 2009. Rachel once again collaborated with Bryan in 2019 in the film, Palm Beach, with Rachel writing and directing the film and Bryan starring and producing the same. 

What is the secret behind Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown's strong marriage after over 40 years?

Fans often wonder what the secret is behind Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward's bond. The couple has been together for over 4 decades, and their bond has only grown stronger with every passing year. Reflecting on the same during a conversation with The Mirror, Bryan was quoted as saying:

"It's amazing to think Rachel and I have been married almost 40 years. You cannot underestimate how huge the show was worldwide. But whatever work opportunities came from that, I will always be more grateful to it for my 40-year marriage and family."

Bryan Brown further shared that from the very start, there was an attraction between himself and Rachel. He revealed that they would often play around on the set, and he even read her palm. He shared that he accurately predicted she would have three children. During his interaction with The Mirror, he laughed and said, "Yes, I did say that, but I didn't say they would be mine!"

In the same conversation, Bryan Brown also recalled the attention on Rachel Ward and her decision to turn from acting to directing. He shared that it wasn't something she or anyone in her place could have possibly dealt with. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that they had a great time and stated:

"There was a lot of attention on Rachel – it wasn't something she could handle. I doubt anyone really would. But we had a great time making the show, and ultimately, we each met the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with."

What are your thoughts on Rachel Ward's love story with Bryan Brown? Let us know.

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