Bryan Brown Proposed To Rachel Ward After They Had A ‘Really Big Argument’ – They've Been Married 40 Years

Jan 11, 2023 by apost team

It’s not every day that two people cross paths and end up together – even more so those who work onscreen whose relationship then transcends offscreen. But there are those who are successful in finding their true love from reel to real – and that includes Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward.

It was four decades ago, in 1983, when the two first met on the set of the mini-series "The Thorn Birds," where they played each other’s love interests.

Ward instantly fell for Brown, admitting it was the latter’s physical features that made her attracted to him.

“He had nice pecs. I mean, you know, it's pretty chemical, isn't it? It's pretty basic,” Ward said in an interview on Seven Network’s Sunday Night. “There's not much thought (that) goes into it. I fancied him. You know, that was about it,” she added.

But contrary to what some people might think, it was actually Ward who made the first move in their relationship.

“He (w)as slow as a wet week. Really took forever. I think I probably did,” Ward said.

In his defense, he only took his time. “And before they know it, they're hooked!” Brown remarked.

It became a struggle to hide their feelings for each other while filming their hit series, incidentally spilling some details about their relationship on set.

“I kept trying to get her arms off from around my neck every minute of the day, but it just didn't work,” Brown told NBC Los Angeles in an interview in 2013.

Then again, Brown said it was a fun time doing the show because it was there when he met his wife – on top of enjoying his time in a different place and always feeling like he was on a holiday.

“We had a great time. Hawaii was fine. Hawaii was just great. When I think back on that period, it was like this wonderful holiday. I met Rachel, and so all I was thinking was, 'Man, am I having a great time. I've found this fabulous girl. Oh, I have to go to work. I have to get that over with real quick,’” he said.

Nine months later, they got married. But Brown said he never thought he would ever get married, revealing that he told his mom that he didn’t want to do it because he came from a home with a broken marriage. “I never thought about marriage until Rachel,” he said. 

Brown recalled the moment he asked Ward for her hand in her marriage, as he said it happened when they had a “really big argument.”

“I was in London to film ‘Give My Regards to Broad Street’ with Paul McCartney. Rachel came with me. We took a week off to go to Ireland and had this massive argument. I just thought if we’re gonna argue like that, we may as well get married,” he said.

They got married in a Georgian mansion — Ward's family home — called Cornwell Manor. They were then gifted with three children, Rosie, Matilda and Joe.

What Ward loves about her husband is she knows how to preserve his values which she said is what makes him a wonderful person. And the driving force behind it? Brown's mom.

“He has an absolute sense of himself,” Ward told The Sydney Morning Herald. 

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“He always did. He knows exactly where he stands, what his values are, what he believes in: total confidence. It all comes from his mother,” she remarked.

While Ward fell in love with Brown for his good looks and physique, she discovered that he was more than just that.

“I consider myself extremely lucky, actually. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. But when those clouds (of lust and romance) cleared, I discovered that he was a wonderful, decent human being. An honourable man,” Ward said.

“It could really have been so different. He could just as easily have been a piece of s***. When you’re in that fog you just can’t see straight,” she added. Brown said nine months was enough for him to get to know the real Ward, who he said he knew well already by the time they married each other nine months later.

“I think I knew her. If you’re seeing someone for six months, nine months, you get to see how they behave in situations. Are they kind? Are they nasty? Are they funny? All that stuff comes out. Because you’re living a life. You’re watching. You get a pretty good indication,” Brown said. 

More than the success of the show they starred in, what Brown feels most grateful for is the relationship they built which led to their lifelong marriage.

“It’s amazing to think Rachel and I have been married almost 40 years. You cannot underestimate how huge the show was all over the world. But whatever work opportunities came from that, I will always be more grateful to it for my 40-year marriage and family,” he told The Mirror.

Were you surprised after finding out about how Bryan Brown asked Rachel Ward’s hand in marriage? Let us know what you think, and pass this on to your family and friends who are fans of the couple!