Twins Alice and Ellen Kessler, famed as the Kessler Twins, decided to end their lives simultaneously and expressed a final wish. Originally from Nerchau, Germany, the sisters began their entertainment career as child ballet performers in Leipzig. Fleeing East Germany in 1952, they pursued stardom in the West.
At just 16, the ambitious siblings embarked on a successful European performance tour, attracting attention from luminaries like Elvis Presley. Their move to Italy in 1962 propelled them to American stardom through appearances on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, sharing stages with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
In 2024, the twins, still active in the industry, disclosed their plan for joint assisted suicide. They desired their ashes combined with those of their mother and pet in one urn, as stated in their will. With no heirs, they initially designated their estate to Doctors Without Borders but later opted to distribute it among various charities, including CBM blind mission and UNICEF.
Ellen explained their decision to divide the inheritance among multiple causes, emphasizing the importance of helping those in need. Their considerable estate, which includes a property with extensive grounds, reflects their disciplined approach to life. The sisters chose medical assistance for their passing, a legal option in Germany due to a 2020 court ruling affirming self-determined death rights.
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