Alice and Ellen Kessler, the legendary German twin performers who gained worldwide fame in the 1950s and 1960s, ended their lives together through medical aid in dying.
The Kessler Twins died on November 17 at their home near Munich at the age of 89. According to a report by Bild, the sisters “no longer wanted to live” and decided to take this step together.
What Is Medical Aid in Dying?
Medical aid in dying has been legal in Germany since 2019. In this process, patients take the prescribed medication themselves.
This differs from euthanasia, which remains illegal in Germany because it involves a doctor administering the life-ending drugs.
The German Society for Humane Dying in Berlin confirmed that the twins chose assisted suicide, according to People.
Their Wish to ‘Go Away Together’
Last year, Alice and Ellen spoke openly about their views on dying at the same time during an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
They expressed their wish “to go away together on the same day.” The thought of one sister dying before the other felt unbearable to them.
Reports also noted that the twins wanted their ashes placed in the same urn with their mother, Elsa, and their dog, Yello.
Who Were the Kessler Twins?
Alice and Ellen Kessler were identical twins known for their synchronized dancing, singing, and glamorous stage presence.
Their careers began in the 1950s after their family escaped communist East Germany. They first performed in Düsseldorf, and in 1955, the director of the Lido in Paris brought them to the French stage.
During the 1960s, the Kessler Twins became global stars. They moved to Rome and performed with major entertainment icons, including Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte.
Their elegance and perfect coordination made them favorites on stages and television shows across Europe and the United States. In Italy, they famously earned the nickname “legs of the nation.”
Personal Lives and Legacy
Alice and Ellen never married and remained inseparable both on and off the stage. They lived together in Grünwald, near Munich, and continued performing well into their 80s.
Police officers who visited their home on Monday found no signs of foul play.
In April 2024, the twins stated that they wanted their ashes to be buried together in one urn. Reports confirm they will be laid to rest alongside their mother Elsa and their dog Yello.
