Entertainer Twins Ellen and Alice Kessler Die on Same Day at 89

Before their demises, the talented twins, who amassed international fame, had discussed death in a 2024 interview.

In a haunting twist of fate, Ellen and Alice Kessler, the dazzling German twins who once lit up the global stage with their synchronized beauty and elegance, have taken their final bow — together.

According to reports, the duo, who were 89, died on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Germany. Their deaths have since sparked a heartfelt online dedication from the official Instagram account of "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Details Surrounding Their Deaths Revealed

The German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS) confirmed that their passing occurred under a joint assisted‑suicide arrangement. According to the organization, the twins had reached out more than a year earlier, formally becoming members and engaging in the extensive legal and medical consultations required in Germany for such an end‑of‑life choice.

"The decisive factor is likely to have been the desire to die together on a specific date," divulged DGHS spokesperson Wega Wetzel. She also noted that she wasn't aware of any precise reasons given by the sisters.

No Crisis, No Influence, Just a Fierce, Shared Will

Wetzel continued, "Their desire to die was well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis." Local police acknowledged they were dispatched to the twins' neighborhood in Grünwald, the tranquil Munich suburb where they lived, though they did not disclose the nature of that deployment.

The DGHS later emphasized that the sisters' decision followed all legal and ethical protocols. In a statement, the organization noted that individuals pursuing assisted dying in Germany must be "absolutely clear‑headed," with decisions made thoughtfully and consistently over time rather than under emotional distress.

A lawyer and a doctor had met with the Kesslers during the preliminary phase, ensuring the choice aligned fully with the country's stringent requirements. This framework was established after Germany's top court affirmed in 2020 that citizens have the right to end their lives under specific, carefully regulated circumstances and not subject to any external influences.

"They had been considering this option for some time," reads part of the statement. Their wish to leave the world together was also something the twins had previously acknowledged publicly.

In a 2024 interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, they were asked whether their long‑stated intention to take identical paths in life — even in the event of euthanasia — remained unchanged.

Their response was candid and deeply intertwined with their lifelong bond, "Our wish is to leave together, on the same day. The idea that it might happen to one of us first is very difficult to bear." It was a sentiment that echoed the profound unity that had defined both their personal lives and decades‑long careers.

That same year, in a separate conversation with German publication Bild, the sisters also spoke about how they envisioned their remains being handled. They wished for their ashes to be placed in a single urn, joined alongside the remains of their mother, Elsa, and their beloved dog, Yello. "That's what we stipulated in our wills," Ellen disclosed.

'The Ed Sullivan Show' Pays Heartfelt Tribute

After news of their passing, a tribute honoring the twin sisters whose artistry had dazzled audiences for decades surfaced from "The Ed Sullivan Show," a program the Kesslers graced repeatedly during the height of their fame.

In a poignant Instagram post, the show's official account shared a throwback clip of Alice and Ellen performing in perfect harmony, capturing the elegance and synchronicity that defined their legacy.

The archival video, showcasing the twins side-by-side in glittering gold ensembles, highlighted their ethereal presence as they moved and sang in seamless unison.

Overlaid on the footage is a short biography of their remarkable journey, which reads, "Twins Alice and Ellen Kessler were born August 20th, 1936 [sic] in Nerchau, Germany. As singers, dancers, actresses, and entertainers, the Kessler Twins had a surge in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. They appeared 15 times on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' between 1963 and 1971."

Accompanying the video is a tender caption which expresses, "🌹 Honoring the extraordinary lives of the Kessler Twins. Alice & Ellen were dazzling stars, true legends, and sisters whose grace, charm, and magic will shine forever. ✨."

From Paris Cabarets to U.S. Stardom: The Kessler Twins' Incredible Legacy

The legacy of Ellen and Alice stretches far beyond the stage. With their signature blonde coiffed hair, statuesque frames, and dual talents in both song and dance, the twins came to define the showgirl aesthetic of the 1950s and '60s. But behind the glamorous facade lay stories of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering sisterhood.

Trained in classical ballet as children, the Kesslers fled East Germany in 1952 to chase their dreams — a bold decision that would mark the beginning of a spectacular career spanning decades and continents.

Their first major break came in Paris at the famed Lido cabaret, where their elegance and synchronicity captivated audiences. But they quickly transcended the cabaret world, breaking into television, film, and even history.

In 1959, they represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest and later graced the cover of Life magazine following their American television debut on The Red Skelton Hour. From 1963 to 1971, they became a recurring act on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In the process, they rubbed shoulders with entertainment royalty — including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Rock Hudson.

Italy, however, became the second home where their stardom exploded. Introduced to the Italian stage by choreographer Don Lurio, they quickly became television sensations, appearing on popular variety shows like "Studio Uno" and "Giardino d'inverno."

Their appearance as the first showgirls to reveal their legs on Italian television caused a stir in a conservative era, sparking both scandal and fascination. Due to strict censorship, they were forced to wear opaque tights, yet their legs were still famously dubbed "the legs of the country" — a moniker that clung to them for life.

In 1976, their boldness took another turn when they posed nude for Playboy Italia, a decision that caused the issue to sell out within hours. Yet even amid controversy, the twins remained adamant about their artistic integrity.

"We were scantily clad on TV," they once told Corriere della Sera, "but we think we were always elegant, never vulgar." Their film and theater credits grew as they continued working well into their later years. The sisters appeared in European cinema, including a brief role in the Hollywood epic "Sodom and Gomorrah," and performed in musical productions across Italy and Germany.

Mirrored Apartments, One Heartbeat

From 2015 to 2016, they starred in a stage musical that toured Berlin, Munich, and Vienna — a testament to their enduring appeal. Outside of their fame, the Kesslers kept their personal lives closely intertwined.

After decades living together in Rome's Trastevere district, they returned to Germany in the 1980s, settling into two mirrored apartments in the town of Grünwald.

"We have very similar taste [sic]. Generally, we each take care of our own house, but at midday we meet for lunch: one day Ellen cooks, the other Alice. In the evening, we don't always eat together," they told Corriere, describing the quiet rhythm of their daily life.

While they each experienced long-term romances — Ellen with actor Umberto Orsini, and Alice with Marcel Amont and Enrico Maria Salerno — the pair made a conscious decision to never marry. Citing their mother's experiences in an abusive marriage, they pledged early on to remain independent.

"We were feminists, but without thinking about it: [sic] from the age of 15, we started earning our own living. And we've always been independent. Perhaps, in the end, we became a little dependent on each other," they once shared.

Together Forever: A Legacy Carved in Gold

Throughout their lives, the twins were recognized for their cultural impact and contributions to entertainment. Both the German and Italian governments honored them with prestigious awards, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1987.

In a statement released after their deaths, Tino Kießig, the mayor of Grimma — the region where they were born — noted the town "mourns the loss of these two world-renowned personalities."

Their elegance, poise, and fearlessness in the face of societal expectation helped redefine what it meant to be women — and stars — in the 20th century. The Kessler Twins may have lived as one, but they left behind a legacy that is doubly unforgettable.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Kessler family, their friends, all their loved ones, the community, and all who knew the sisters as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Ellen and Alice.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.