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Alice and Ellen Kessler, the German twin sisters whose singing and dancing made them European entertainment icons in the 1950s and ’60s, died together by assisted suicide on Monday at the age of 89, the German Society for Humane Dying confirmed.
The organization said the sisters had been considering the decision for some time and had been members for over a year. A doctor and a lawyer conducted preliminary discussions with them to ensure the choice was deliberate and informed. “People who choose this option in Germany must be absolutely clear-headed, free and responsible,” the organization said, adding that such decisions are “thoughtful and consistent, not impulsive.” Germany legalized medically assisted suicide in 2020 after its highest court ruled a prior ban violated constitutional rights.
Born on August 20, 1936, in Nazi Germany, the sisters trained as ballet dancers. Their family fled East Germany in the early 1950s, and the twins launched their careers in West Germany. Known professionally as the Kessler Twins, they became stars in postwar Germany and Italy, also attracting fans in the United States. In February 1963, they made their U.S. television debut on CBS’ “The Red Skelton Hour” and appeared on the cover of Life magazine, billed as “Sensations from Germany: Kessler Twins.” They also performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” where they were celebrated for their charm and talent.
In the 1960s, the sisters moved to Italy, posed for the Italian edition of Playboy, and appeared in European films, including a brief role in the Hollywood epic “Sodom and Gomorrah.” They returned to Germany in the 1980s, settling near Munich, and never married. Over their careers, the Kessler Twins received numerous honors, including Germany’s Order of Merit in 1987 and recognition from the Italian government for their contributions to entertainment.
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