Alice and Ellen Kessler, the renowned twin sisters who once shared the stage with legends like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, tragically passed away on Monday with the assistance of medical aid.
According to reports from German newspaper Bild, the 89-year-old sisters, who lived near Munich, decided to end their lives on the same day after expressing that they no longer wished to continue living. They chose to die together, as they had always been inseparable.
Born in 1936, the Kessler twins rose to fame in the 1950s and 60s, representing West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, where they placed eighth with their memorable duet. Their popularity grew further with their appearances on the variety show Studio Uno in the 1960s, and their iconic feature on the cover of Playboy Magazine helped them achieve international stardom.
On Monday, November 19, Alice and Ellen Kessler passed away peacefully at their home, under the assistance of medical aid.
In Germany, assisted dying has been legal since 2019. It differs from euthanasia (which remains illegal in Europe) as the individual self-administers the prescribed medication, rather than having a healthcare provider administer it. Assisted dying is only allowed when the patient acts independently and responsibly.
Following the twins’ passing, the police were notified, and there were no signs of foul play. The Kessler sisters had previously shared their wish to be buried together in the same urn after their deaths.
Radio Monte Carlo paid tribute to the twins on Instagram, describing them as “inseparable,” and highlighting their iconic status as symbols of European entertainment, with a career spanning music, dance, and television. In Italy, they were fondly known as the “legs of the nation,” and their elegance and stage presence made them beloved figures from the 1950s onwards.
“A unique artistic duo, capable of leaving an indelible mark on the collective imagination,” the tribute concluded.
Rest in peace, Alice and Ellen Kessler.