One of the most iconic entertainment duos to ever capture audiences in Europe has died. The identical twin sisters Alice and Ellen Kessler, who mesmerized audiences throughout the continent in the 1960s, are no more. They died at age 89. Regarded for elegance, striking synchronicity, and unforgettable stage presence, the Kessler Twins have been one of the very favorite acts in Italy, shaping a golden era in national television.
The sisters opted for an assisted death together, which took place in their family home in Grünwald, near Munich. According to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanes Sterben-DGHS, the Berlin organisation that accompanied them, the decision was long considered and entirely their own. Although active euthanasia remains illegal under German law, assisted suicide is allowed, provided it is self-administered.
The sisters self-administered the life-ending medication themselves, attended by a physician and lawyer, after which authorities were called to verify the legality and circumstances surrounding the death. DGHS explained that the decision was in no way influenced by mental health issues but rather was a deeply personal wish the sisters had expressed for many years.
In various interviews, Alice and Ellen had stated that they wanted to leave this world on the same day. “The idea that one of us would go first was unbearable,” they said, reflecting the unbreakable bond that defined their lives both on and off the stage. They had also expressed a wish that their ashes, one day, be placed in one urn and buried beside their mother and their beloved dog, Yello.
The twins were born in 1936 in Nerchau and instantly became ballet dancers as children with the Leipzig Opera. Their family fled East Germany, and their careers skyrocketed in Düsseldorf, captivating audiences across Europe by the time they were 16 years old. Their international fame peaked when they represented West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing eighth and cementing their legacy as trailblazers of modern entertainment.
