Alice and Ellen Kessler have died, both aged 89. The German twins had agreed to end their lives together and passed away by assisted suicide, according to Bild. Assisted suicide is legal in Germany following a 2020 ruling by the country's highest courts. The primary stipulation is that the person being assisted with their death is not facing outside pressure to end their life.
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The Kessler twins rose to fame during the 50s and 60s and were some of the most notable entertainers of their era. Their worldwide fame saw them perform alongside some titans of the entertainment industry, including Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire.
In its report, Bild noted how the sisters had both decided they didn't wish to live any longer.
"The famous Kessler twins are dead," Bild's report read. "A nation mourns. According to BILD, the legendary entertainers died in Grünwald near Munich: They had chosen to end their lives together. They no longer wanted to live."
The showgirls previously told the publication that they wished to be buried in the same urn, along with their mother's ashes and that of their dog Yello, when their time eventually came. That way, they could all be together forever.
"That's what we stipulated in our wills," Ellen Kessler told BILD in 2024.
Alice and Ellen Kessler Were Revolutionary in Italy
The Kessler twins had their fair of success on American shores, taking part in programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Red Skelton Hour." However, it was their time in Italy that truly helped them make their mark.
According to The New York Times, the twin sisters became the first female performers to show their legs on camera, leading to a rise in risque programming across Italy's airwaves.
Beyond their time in Italy, the sisters travelled the world, conquering whatever was in their way. They took part in multiple movies and spent their free time working on their routines. The sisters even made the front cover of a 1975 edition of Playboy in Italy.
Neither sister married nor had any children. They lived for each other and were always together.
And following their unusual decision, they will remain together for eternity.
