German showbiz legends Kessler twins die by assisted suicide
What's the story
Alice and Ellen Kessler, the famous German twin sisters who became a sensation in the 1950s as an entertainment duo, have died at 89. They reportedly opted for assisted suicide, confirmed the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS), an advocacy organization. The local police also confirmed their demise but didn't disclose further details about the incident.
Details
Twins had joined DGHS over a year ago
The Kessler twins had contacted the DGHS, which provides access to lawyers and doctors for assisted dying, over a year ago, and became members. "The decisive factor is likely to have been the desire to die together on a specific date," said DGHS spokesperson Wega Wetzel. "Their desire to die was well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis."
Final wish
Kessler twins' wish to 'go away together'
The twins had expressed their wish to "go away together on the same day" during an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera last year. They also wanted their ashes to be buried in the same urn with those of their mother Elsa, and their dog Yello.
Career highlights
Kessler twins' illustrious career in showbiz
The Kessler twins, with their blonde hair and singing-dancing skills, were the epitome of 1950s and '60s showgirls. They started their careers at the Lido in Paris before becoming international stars. They represented Germany at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show multiple times, and even graced the cover of Life magazine.
Italian fame
The twins' legacy in Italy and beyond
The Kessler twins made television history in Italy as the first showgirls to appear on national TV and the first female performers to show their legs on screen. They went on to act in Italian films and theater, becoming so renowned that state broadcaster RAI issued a detailed plan on Tuesday outlining coverage for their passing. Reportedly, their lives were deeply intertwined beyond their shared career; they lived in "two mirrored, adjoining apartments" and met every day for lunch.