Kessler Twins Die by Assisted Suicide at 89: Legendary Entertainment Duo’s Final Decision Explained
By Entertainment Desk | Updated 2 hours ago
The iconic German entertainment duo Alice and Ellen Kessler, world-famous for their dazzling performances in the 1950s and 60s, have died at the age of 89 through a joint assisted suicide, according to the advocacy group German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS).
Local authorities in Gruenwald, a suburb of Munich where the twins lived, confirmed a police response on Monday but did not disclose further details.
A Planned and Mutual Decision
According to DGHS, the twins had contacted the organization more than a year ago, seeking guidance and membership.
Spokesperson Wega Wetzel stated that the sisters’ choice was:
Well-considered
Long-standing
Free from psychiatric crisis
Their wish was simple and deeply emotional — to leave the world together on the same day. In a 2023 interview with Corriere della Sera, they explained that the thought of one dying before the other was “too hard to bear.”
They also wished to have their ashes placed in a single urn, alongside their mother Elsa and their dog Yello.
Assisted Dying in Germany
Assisted dying is legal in Germany under specific conditions. A 2020 High Court ruling affirmed an individual’s right to end their life and seek assistance as long as the decision is free of external pressure.
Rise to International Stardom
With their blonde curls, long legs, and captivating stage presence, the Kessler twins became symbols of the 1950s–60s showgirl era.
Early Life and Escape From East Germany
Trained in classical ballet as children
Fled East Germany in 1952 to pursue performing arts
Began their careers at Le Lido in Paris before rising to global fame
Global Recognition
The Kessler twins appeared on major international platforms, including:
1959 Eurovision Song Contest (representing Germany)
The Ed Sullivan Show (multiple times)
Life magazine cover
Performances alongside legends like Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Elvis Presley, and Rock Hudson
Following news of their deaths, “The Ed Sullivan Show” paid tribute, calling them “true legends whose grace and charm will shine forever.”
A Second Home in Italy
The twins became household names in Italy, where they:
Became the first showgirls on Italian television
Were famously known as “the legs of the country”
Starred in Italian films and theatre productions
Appeared in Playboy Italia in 1976 — an issue that sold out in just three hours
State broadcaster RAI announced special programming to honor their legacy.
Lifelong Bond Beyond the Stage
Alice and Ellen shared nearly every aspect of their lives:
Lived in two connected, mirrored apartments
Ate lunch together daily at noon
Maintained their professional partnership for decades, including a stage musical that ran from 2015–2016 in Berlin, Munich, and Vienna
Mayor Tino Kießig of Grimma, their birthplace region, said the town “mourns the loss of these two world-renowned personalities.”
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