Here is everything we know about Alice and Ellen Kessler, who died on Monday (November 17) after deciding to end their lives together.
German newspaper Bild reported the twins died at age 89 in their home near Munich.
The sisters ‘no longer wanted to live’ and had opted to ‘end their lives together’, the outlet stated.
Alice and Ellen decided to end their lives via medical aid, which has been legal in Germany since 2019.
Who were Alice and Ellen Kessler?
Born on August 20, 1936, the twins quickly developed a love for dancing and started ballet lessons at the age of six. After escaping East Germany in 1952 with their parents Paul and Elsa Kessler, the pair began to make a name for themselves after they performed at The Lido in Paris.
Alice and Ellen Kessler rose to fame in the 1950s (Arthur Grimm/United Archives via Getty Images)
They even met Elvis Presley during this time and later had a 1959 duet at the Eurovision Song Contest, which saw them land eighth place for West Germany.
The Kessler twins went on to become international names through the 60s variety show Studio Uno, followed by featuring in a cover issue of the infamous Italian version of Playboy magazine.The move cemented their position as showbiz legends, as they returned to Germany in 1986.
But perhaps the twins’ biggest accomplishment was working with Frank Sinatra during their impressive career.
Medical aid vs euthanasia
It has been reported by local outlets that the Kessler twins ended their lives via medical aid, which is legal in Germany.
With medical aid in dying, patients administer the prescribed drug themselves to end their lives, rather than being done by a doctor.
Such is legal when the person, among other things, ‘acts responsibly and of their own free will’ – and the assister must not carry out the act themselves, as this would be classed as euthanasia.
The Kessler twins died on Monday (Tristar Media/Getty Images)
What the twins have previously said
Alice and Ellen have previously told Bild of their desire to be buried one day in the same urn, while they wanted their ashes to be beside those of their mother Elsa and dog Yello.
“We stipulated this in our wills,” Ellen said in April 2024. “Our life has been characterised by discipline. Now we are approaching the end. We won’t live much longer. So we must approach the end with discipline.
“After us, the deluge’, is not in our nature.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Warning: this article contains discussion surrounding suicide that some readers may find distressing.
The Kessler twins â who became famous for performing with Frank Sinatra â died on Monday (November 17) after deciding to end their lives together through medical aid.
Alice and Ellen Kessler, born in August 1936, shot to fame in the 1950s and 1960s after their 1959 duet at the Eurovision Song Contest saw them land eighth place for West Germany.
They went on to become international names through the 60s variety show Studio Uno, followed by featuring in a cover issue of the infamous Playboy magazine.
German newspaper Bild reported the twins died at age 89 in their home near Munich through medical aid in dying on Monday.
The sisters ‘no longer wanted to live’ and had opted to ‘end their lives together’.
Dying via medical aid has been legal in Germany since 2019, and is different from euthanasia, which is illegal in the European country.
The twins have died aged 89 (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
Medical aid vs euthanasia
With medical aid in dying, patients administer the prescribed drug themselves to end their lives, rather than being done by a doctor.
Such is legal when the person, among other things, ‘acts responsibly and of their own free will’ – and the assister must not carry out the act themselves, as this would be classed as euthanasia.
Police were reportedly informed that the twins had died and immediately ruled out foul play.
Alice and Ellen told the outlet in April last year that they wanted to be buried one day in the same urn.
Alice and Ellen pictured together earlier this year (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
Tributes have been pouring in for the famous twins on social media, including from Radio Monte Carlo on Instagram.
They penned: “Alice and Ellen Kessler left together, just as they lived: inseparable.
“Born in 1936, they were an absolute symbol of European spectacle, including music, dance and television. In Italy, they became celebrities as the âlegs of the nationâ, icon of elegance and stage presence since the Fifties.
“A unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
