Rachel Ward is clapping back at internet trolls who have criticized her for aging naturally.
The “Thorn Birds” star, 68, posted a video on Instagram in which she jokingly apologized for recently scaring people with her “rather unkempt appearance.”
“Dear those of you who responded to the brouhaha over the trolls criticizing my appearance, I have tried to do a little better today. I ran my hands through my hair, etc. but anyways, just to say, do not fear aging,” she began her message, offering up some advice to other women.
“It’s a wonderful period of life, in your 60s. I am more fulfilled than ever, and I have no regrets, leaving my youth and beauty behind,” she continued.
“I’m not youthful, but I am a very happy camper. Later years are to be exalted and welcomed. You wait until you get there. They have so many other gifts to bestow that you have no idea what they are until you get there.”
The former model added that she was “overwhelmed” by supporters and offered some advice.
“Don’t worry about me,” she proclaimed. “I do recognize that we’re all a little bit worried about losing our youth and resorting to rather drastic ways of holding on to it, but let it go.”
“Let it go and much bounty will come,” she continued, going on to thank the people who defended her and showed her support amid the criticism. “Anyway, I just thank you from [my heart]. It was amazing to receive that response from you all.”
Ward became a huge star when she appeared opposite Richard Chamberlain in the 1983 mini-series, “The Thorn Birds.” It was also where she met her husband, Bryan Brown, 78.
The couple married in 1983 and share three children: Rosie, Matilda and Joe.
She now runs a beef farm in rural New South Wales with her family.
Alongside the video, Ward wrote that she was “overwhelmed by the generosity that poured forth after a few fearful trolls went on the attack of my rather unkempt appearance before Christmas.”
The “Against All Odds” star jokingly apologized for “frightening a few of you” before highlighting her farm’s produce, which includes “steaks, chooks, eggs, pork and lamb.”
She also “apologized” for not doing her hair or applying “some lippy” before going on social media.
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