Alice and Ellen Kessler (the legendary identical twins who became Europe’s most famous double act) have died at the age of 89 in what’s being reported as a joint assisted suicide.
The news has shocked Germany and the wider entertainment world, where the sisters were adored for more than six decades.
Police Called to Their Home Near Munich
Police were called to the twins’ home just outside Munich on Monday morning. While authorities didn’t share specifics about the scene, the German Humanist Association later confirmed that the pair had chosen an assisted death, according to Bild. It’s a sombre end to one of showbusiness’ most iconic partnerships, two women who lived every moment of their lives side by side, right up until the very end.
From Wartime Childhood to International Stardom
The Kessler twins’ story reads like a movie script. Born in East Germany in the late 1930s, Alice and Ellen grew up during World War II and saw the country reshape around them. After the war, their family fled to Düsseldorf, where the sisters (already obsessed with movement and performance) immersed themselves in ballet training, PEOPLE reports.
Credit: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
That dedication paid off. Before hitting 20, they landed spots at the legendary Lido cabaret in Paris. Their perfectly mirrored looks, flawless precision and natural chemistry made them instant standouts. The audience didn’t just love them, they couldn’t look away.
The Kessler Sisters Take Over Europe (and Beyond)
After five years lighting up Paris, the twins’ careers exploded throughout the 1960s. They performed on stages around the world, dazzling audiences with high-energy routines and old-school glamour. Their résumé reads like a who’s who of showbiz royalty: Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Harry Belafonte – they shared stages with them all.
The sisters eventually settled in Rome, where they became prime-time TV staples and enjoyed enormous popularity in Italy. Their signature synchronized style made them instantly recognisable, and they remained cultural icons across Europe well into their later years, according to YNet.
A Bond That Lasted a Lifetime
Alice and Ellen never married and reportedly lived together throughout their entire adult lives. Their twin connection was more than a gimmick, it was the foundation of who they were. Friends and fans often described them as “two halves of one whole,” and their careers reflected that inseparability.
Credit: Arthur Grimm/United Archives/Getty Images.
Reports say the sisters even made one final request together: that their ashes be placed in the same urn. It’s a fitting final chapter for two performers who built a life, a legacy and a global reputation as an unbreakable duo.
A Final Farewell to Europe’s Most Famous Twins
News of their assisted death has reignited conversations in Germany about autonomy, aging and end-of-life rights, but most of the reaction has been focused on the sisters’ extraordinary careers. For many, the Kessler Twins weren’t just entertainers – they were the embodiment of post-war European glamour.
Their passing marks the end of an era, but their influence on dance, cabaret and televised performance will live on.
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