The 1950s iconic duo and twins, Alice and Ellen Kessler, have died at the age of 89. The duo reportedly died via assisted su*cide, which is legal in their home country of Germany after a top court ruled in 2020 in favor. Reportedly, as the German publication Bild revealed, the twins had no wish to live anymore and hence decided to end their lives together.
The news was confirmed by the German Society for Humane Dying on Tuesday, and the duo reportedly chose their date of death beforehand. The act was carried out in the presence of a doctor and a lawyer, as CNN reports. Authorities confirmed there was no foul play, and their decision was entirely voluntary.
Having spent their life and careers together all their lives, they had made arrangements for their remains to be buried in a single urn alongside their mother, Elsa, and their beloved dog, Yello. CNN had confirmed through the local police on Tuesday that there was a deployment yesterday lunchtime in Gruenwald, the Munich suburb where the twins resided.
How Did the Kessler Twins Make History?
Alice and Ellen Kessler were born on August 20, 1936, in Nerchau, Saxony, Germany. They began their performance careers in childhood, joining the Leipzig Opera’s junior ballet program. In their early adult years, they gained prominence as part of the legendary Bluebell Girls at the Lido in Paris.
Their fame exploded in the 1950s and 1960s as they starred on variety TV shows in Italy, becoming household names for their synchronized routines, especially their iconic “Da-da-un-pa” number. However, they made history when they agreed to appear nude on the cover of the Italian edition of Playboy Magazine, despite being in their 20s.
The edition featuring their cover ended up being sold out so fast that the record stands to this day (via Elle). Over the years, the Kessler Twins became icons in post-war European entertainment: dancers, singers, and actresses, leaving behind a vast legacy.
Their shared home in Grünwald consisted of two adjoining apartments separated by a sliding wall, symbolizing how intertwined their lives and their final act were (via ANSA).
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