Alice and Ellen Kessler, known worldwide as the Kessler Twins (German: Die Kessler-Zwillinge, Italian: Le Gemelle Kessler, English: The Kessler Twins), died on 17 November 2025 at the age of 89. The famous twin sisters, who conquered stages in the 1960s and 1970s, chose to end their lives together through assisted suicide at their home in Grünwald near Munich. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS).
The sisters were born on 20 August 1936 in Nerchau (now part of Grimma in Saxony) in East Germany. From an early age they showed a talent for dance, and as children they joined the children’s ballet of the Leipzig Opera. In 1952, at just 16 years old, they fled with their parents to West Germany, settling in Düsseldorf. There they began a professional dance career that soon took them to international stages.
The real breakthrough came in 1955, when the Kesslers joined the famous Lido cabaret in Paris. As dancers and singers, they gained fame through synchronized performances that combined elegance, humour and sex appeal. In 1959 they represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh’n”, finishing in 8th place. Their career gained momentum in the 1960s, when American choreographer Don Lurio discovered them and invited them to Italy. There they became television stars, appearing in popular programmes and films. They worked with stage legends such as Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte and Jerry Lewis.
In the 1970s they continued to perform in Germany and Italy, appearing in musicals, films and cabaret stages. Their trademark, identical blonde hairstyles, high heels and perfect synchronization, made them icons of pop culture. After years in show business, the sisters withdrew from public life, although they occasionally appeared in the media. In a 2024 interview they expressed a wish to “die together”, a wish that tragically came true a year later.
The twins’ death shook the show business world and sparked debate about euthanasia. The DGHS, which supports the right to a dignified death, stressed that the sisters’ decision was informed and consistent with their will. Pro-life groups, however, criticised the “glorification” of such a choice. Alice and Ellen Kessler left behind a legacy as symbols of joy and harmony that accompanied them throughout their lives.
Samotne bezdzietne kobiety