Alice and Ellen Kessler, the celebrated German twins who captivated audiences worldwide as a variety entertainment duo in the 1950s, have died at the age of 89 through joint assisted suicide. This was confirmed by the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS), an advocacy organization that supports assisted dying.
Local police in Munich confirmed a deployment in Gruenwald, the suburb where the twins resided, but refrained from disclosing further details. The Kessler twins had been in contact with DGHS for over a year, becoming members to access legal and medical assistance for their decision.
According to Wega Wetzel, a spokesperson for DGHS, the twins’ decision to die together was “well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis.” Wetzel noted that the pair had expressed a desire to depart life on the same day, a sentiment they had shared in a previous interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Legal and Personal Context
In Germany, assisted dying is legal under specific conditions following a 2020 ruling by the country’s top court, which affirmed an individual’s right to end their life with third-party assistance, provided they are not under external pressure. This legal framework enabled the Kessler twins to carry out their final wish.
The twins had expressed a desire to have their ashes interred together in the same urn, alongside their mother Elsa and their dog Yello, as Ellen Kessler revealed to the German tabloid Bild last year.
The Rise to Stardom
With their striking blonde hair, long legs, and talents in singing and dancing, the Kessler twins became emblematic of the 1950s and 60s showgirl era. They began their journey in the performing arts as children at a classical ballet school before fleeing East Germany in 1952 to pursue a career in dance.
Their breakthrough came at the Lido in Paris, a venue renowned for its cabaret performances. However, the twins quickly rose beyond the cabaret scene, representing Germany at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest and appearing multiple times on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Their fame was further cemented when they appeared on the cover of Life magazine and mingled with Hollywood legends such as Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Rock Hudson.
“The Ed Sullivan Show” remembered the Kessler twins as “dazzling stars, true legends, and sisters whose grace, charm, and magic will shine forever.”
Impact in Italy
The Kessler twins also became icons in Italy, making history as the first showgirls to appear on Italian television. Despite the conservative values of the time, which required them to wear opaque tights, their legs were famously dubbed “the legs of the country.”
Their popularity soared when they posed for the Italian edition of Playboy in 1976, with the magazine selling out in just three hours. The twins also appeared in Italian films and theatre, achieving such fame that Italy’s state broadcaster RAI announced plans to honor their legacy by rerunning their television shows.
A Lasting Legacy
The Kessler twins’ careers endured long past the golden era of showgirls. They made guest appearances on German television and starred in a musical that toured Berlin, Munich, and Vienna from 2015 to 2016. Their lives were deeply intertwined, living in “two mirrored, connecting apartments” and meeting daily for lunch, as they shared with Corriere della Sera.
Born in a village now part of Grimma, Saxony, the twins were mourned by their hometown. Tino Kießig, the mayor of Grimma, expressed the town’s sorrow, stating, “Grimma mourns the loss of these two world-renowned personalities.”
Note: Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
