The world of entertainment has lost one of its most enduring acts, as twin sisters Alice and Ellen Kessler have died together at the age of 89. The German performers, who found international fame in the 1950s, chose to end their lives simultaneously via assisted suicide.
A Joint Farewell
According to reports from the German publication Bild, police were informed on Monday afternoon that the 89-year-old sisters had opted for an assisted death. The twins, who were inseparable throughout their lives, reportedly "no longer wanted to live" and had made the decision to depart together.
In Germany, active assistance in suicide remains illegal. However, the law exists in a grey area regarding passive help, such as providing lethal medication for an individual to take themselves. This legal nuance is central to understanding the circumstances of the twins' passing.
From East Germany to International Stardom
Born in 1936, Alice and Ellen Kessler escaped from communist East Germany to the West at the age of 16. This bold move launched their prolific career, allowing them to perform across Europe and eventually the world.
Their talent propelled them to incredible heights. They performed alongside some of the biggest names of the era, including Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Sammy Davis Jr.. In the 1960s, they became familiar faces on American television, gracing stages on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Red Skelton Hour.
The pair also represented West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, securing eighth place with their song "Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh'n" ("Tonight We Want to Go Dancing").
An Inseparable Bond Until the End
The sisters' connection was profound and defined their entire existence. Last year, they revealed to Bild their final wishes, which underscored their lifelong bond. They stipulated in their wills to be buried in the same urn, alongside the ashes of their mother, Elsa, and their dog, Yello.
After decades of global performance, the Kessler Twins returned to Germany in 1986, settling in Grünwald, near Munich. They lived there until their deaths and were honoured earlier this year with the Bavarian Order of Merit.
Tributes have poured in for the iconic duo. Radio Monte Carlo posted a statement on Instagram, remembering them as "an absolute symbol of European spectacle" and "a unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination." Their final act was, like their lives, a testament to an unbreakable partnership.
