Twins Alice and Ellen Kessler Choose Assisted Suicide at 89

The Passing of the Iconic Twins

Alice and Ellen Kessler, the renowned twin sisters, passed away on Monday at their home in Gruenwald, Germany. They were 89 years old. The twins, who rose to fame in the 1950s, had been planning this for over a year. They contacted the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS) to assist them.

A Well-Considered Decision

The police in Germany confirmed an incident at the twins' home on Monday but did not disclose the details. A spokesperson from DGHS stated that the twins wanted to die together on a specific day. Although the exact reasons for each sister were not disclosed, the spokesperson emphasized that their decision was well thought out and not made in a moment of crisis.

A Life in the Spotlight

Last year, the twins shared their thoughts with an Italian newspaper. They expressed their desire not to live if one of them died first. They lived in two connected apartments and often received requests to return to TV, but they declined. They felt they could no longer do the things they once did and decided to stop.

A Legacy of Dance and Fame

The twins were born in 1936 in Germany and began dancing at a young age. They fled East Germany in 1952 to pursue their careers. They represented Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and starred in films. In 1976, they posed nude for Playboy in Italy, selling out the issue in just three hours. They also graced the cover of Life magazine.

The Final Wish

The twins expressed their desire to have their ashes placed in the same urn, which would also hold their mother Elsa and their dog Yello. They felt they no longer had the energy to dance together at 88 and believed it was better not to do things if they couldn't do them well.

The Broader Context

Euthanasia is legal in some European countries. In the Netherlands, the number of people using it for mental health reasons has increased significantly. In 2010, only two people did this, but by 2023, that number jumped to 138. Last year, a 29-year-old woman in the Netherlands was approved for euthanasia due to chronic depression and other mental health issues.

In Germany, euthanasia is allowed if the person is not being forced. The twins' decision was their own, and they chose to end their lives together. This topic is complex and evokes different opinions, highlighting the importance of considering its implications for everyone.