She hit back at age-shamers on Australian Story on Monday, questioning why women are encouraged to ‘look 40 at 68’ and insisting that she feels happier now than in her Hollywood heyday.
And former 80s bombshell Rachel Ward proudly sported her greying hair and augmentation-free visage as she visited a local bookstore in Sydney’s Avalon last week.
The 68-year-old British-born Australian looked casual as she browsed the store, going makeup-free in a green cardigan, jeans and a printed black button-down shirt.
She sported a pair of clear-frame spectacles and slung a brown cross-body bag over her shoulder, while completing her look with several shell necklaces.
At one point, Rachel picked up a book titled The Score, by C. Thi Nguyen, which is described as ‘A thought-provoking exploration of the scoring systems in our everyday lives – how we succumb to their values and how we regain control.’
It was, of course, no surprise to see the former superstar gravitate towards the tome, given her recent refusal to accept societal expectations surrounding the appearance of ageing.
Former 80s bombshell Rachel Ward proudly sported her greying hair and augmentation-free visage as she visited a local bookstore in Sydney’s Avalon last week
Rachel famously left internet trolls stunned late last year after appearing in an Instagram video, where she proudly sported white locks and a Botox-free visage that showed her years.
‘I read she’s 68. Looks way older! I’m 62 and can’t believe she’s only a few years older than me,’ one person commented on the seemingly innocuous video.
Another offered a similarly cutting comment: ‘OMG what the hell happened to u? U were so pretty???’
One more critic claimed that Rachel’s appearance was due to ‘years of neglect’.
Rachel responded: ‘I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much.
‘They will learn that it’s ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go.’
Appearing on Monday’s episode of Australian Story, Rachel defiantly revealed that being called ‘old and decrepit’ online has only added to her popularity.
Rachel joked that, ‘the more wretched I look, the more followers I have’ before explaining that she has become a symbol for wider social issues.
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Why are women judged so harshly for embracing natural aging, and what does that say about society?
At one point, Rachel picked up a book titled The Score, by C. Thi Nguyen, which is described as ‘A thought-provoking exploration of the scoring systems in our everyday lives – how we succumb to their values and how we regain control’
It was, of course, no surprise to see the former superstar gravitate towards the tome, given her recent refusal to accept societal expectations surrounding the appearance of ageing
‘I was a catalyst for a larger conversation. I think people have been challenged (because) women weren’t allowed to have wrinkles, weren’t allowed to go grey,’ the Peter Rabbit star said.
‘Why do we feel that we’ve got to pretend that we’re still 40 when we’re 68?’ she asked.
The star, who was a sex symbol and pin-up in the 1980s, believes that the public hasn’t seen much of her in recent years, and some may have been startled by the contrast between her appearance now, as an older woman, and how she looked in her youth.
‘A few trolls were a bit shocked about my grey hair. They maybe haven’t seen me since I was 24, and they went, “Oh my god, that’s what you end up looking like”.’
Rachel said that much of her career was defined by how men wanted her to look, and she’s now free of those constraints.
‘I went to Hollywood in 1982, and everything was about sexuality. It was all about the sex scenes. It was all about the male gaze,’ she said.
‘It’s very empty and very unsatisfying. It took me a long time to feel that I had value as a woman.’
The Thorn Birds star revealed that she is now more comfortable in her own skin.
The 68-year-old British-born Australian looked casual as she browsed the store, going makeup-free in a green cardigan, jeans and a printed black button-down shirt
Appearing on Monday’s episode of Australian Story , Rachel defiantly revealed that being called ‘old and decrepit’ online has only added to her popularity
The star believes that some people may have been startled by the contrast between her appearance now, as an older woman, and how she looked in her youth. Pictured in 1980
‘I’m so past caring what people think about one’s appearance or age,’ she said.
‘I love this part of life. I’m more content now than I’ve ever been.’
Born in the UK, Rachel relocated to Australia permanently after marrying fellow acting icon Bryan Brown in 1983.
The couple met on the set of the mini-series The Thorn Birds and went on to have three children – Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34.
