Alice and Ellen Kessler, the German twins who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, ended their lives together. On Monday, Nov. 17, the two died at age 89 in their home near Munich after choosing medical aid in dying, German newspaper Bild reports. According to the outlet, the sisters “no longer wanted to live” and “they had chosen to end their lives together.” Police were reportedly notified after the process was completed.
In 2024, the twins had jointly expressed their wish to have their remains placed together in one urn, beside their mother Elsa and her dog Yello. “That’s how we stipulated it in our will,” Ellen told the Bild.
Born on August 20, 1936, in Nerchau, Germany, the Kessler twins started ballet classes at age six and joined the Leipzig Opera’s child ballet program at eleven. In 1952, at age 16, their parents helped them escape East Germany using a visitor’s visa.
After reaching Düsseldorf, they performed at the Palladium theater. Between 1955 and 1960, they were a featured act at the famous The Lido cabaret in Paris. It was during this period they met celebrities like Elvis Presley, who was on leave from the army.
The twins became household names across Europe as singers, dancers, and actresses after representing West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest. They even posed for the Italian edition of Playboy, which quickly became their fastest-selling issue.
Their success in Europe led to roles in films and appearances on high-profile American variety shows in the 1960s, including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Red Skelton Hour, where they became known to U.S. audiences.
They were celebrated for their unique act as identical twins and worked with stars such as Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Sammy Davis Jr.. They were also featured in several popular movies and magazines, garnering a massive following.
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