Alice and Ellen Kessler, the iconic German twins who once performed alongside stars like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, died together on Monday at the age of 89 through medically assisted dying. According to reports from German outlet Bild, the sisters chose to end their lives at their home near Munich, explaining that they no longer wished to continue living. Their passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned more than six decades.
Born in 1936, the Kessler twins rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. They gained early recognition representing West Germany at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, where they placed eighth and captured public admiration. Their popularity exploded throughout the 1960s thanks to frequent appearances on the Italian variety show Studio Uno, and their later feature on the cover of Playboy solidified their status as international stars known for elegance, charisma, and captivating stage presence.
The sisters died on November 19 with medical assistance—a legal option in Germany since 2019. Unlike euthanasia, which remains illegal across Europe, medically assisted dying requires individuals to administer the prescribed life-ending medication themselves and is only permitted when they are deemed capable of making the decision freely. Authorities were notified immediately after their deaths, and police quickly ruled out any suspicion of foul play. The twins had previously expressed their wish to be placed together in one urn, just as they had lived their lives—inseparable.
Tributes quickly flowed in from across Europe. Radio Monte Carlo honored them, saying the pair “left together, just as they lived: inseparable,” calling them icons of music, dance, and television who left “an indelible imprint on the collective imagination.” Their legacy as pioneers of European entertainment, celebrated for their grace, talent, and cultural impact, remains deeply cherished. May Alice and Ellen Kessler rest in peace.
