In 1787, Ward married the Oxford graduate and journalist William Radcliffe (1763–1830), part-owner and editor of the "English Chronicle". He often came home late, and to occupy her time she began to write and to read her work to him when he returned. Theirs was a childless and seemingly happy marriage. Radcliffe called him her "nearest relative and friend". The money she earned from her novels later allowed them to travel together, along with their dog, Chance. In her final years, Radcliffe retreated from public life and was rumoured to have become insane as a result of her writing. These rumours arose because Radcliffe just stopped writing after publishing her five novels, though the last three were very successful. She remained secluded for 26 years, with no real explanation available to her many fans.