Departing Together: The Kessler Twins’ Journey Ends with Joint Assisted Suicide at 89

Alice and Ellen Kessler, the German pop duo who expressed their wish last year to “depart together,” have died simultaneously through assisted suicide at their home in Grünwald at the age of 89.

The Kessler sisters, the pop duo who gained fame across Europe during the 1960s, particularly in Italy where they were credited with bringing glamour to national television, passed away at 89 years old.

Wiega Wetzel, spokesperson for the German Euthanasia Society (DGHS), a Berlin-based organization concerned with end-of-life choices, confirmed that the identical twins opted for a joint assisted suicide procedure at their residence in Grünwald, near Munich, on Monday.

In Germany, active euthanasia remains prohibited; however, constitutional law guarantees every individual the right to self-determine their own death. This principle encompasses the freedom to terminate one’s life and voluntarily seek assistance from a third party.

The sisters self-administered life-ending medication under the supervision of a physician and legal counsel before notifying the police. “Police routinely investigate such circumstances to verify the situation. If all procedures are properly followed, no legal issues arise,” Wetzel stated, emphasizing their decision resulted from “extensive, carefully considered reflection over time. No mental health concerns were involved.”

A Shared Final Wish
In an interview last year with Italy’s Corriere della Sera, the sisters revealed their desire was “to leave together, on the same day… The thought of one departing first was unbearable.” They later told Germany’s Bild newspaper of their wish to have their ashes united in a single urn, eventually buried alongside their mother and their dog, Yello.

Beginnings of a Remarkable Career
Born in 1936 in Nerchau, the sisters began their careers as young ballet dancers with the Leipzig Opera. Their performing career accelerated at sixteen after their family fled East Germany for Düsseldorf. They represented West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, achieving eighth place.

They performed at Paris’s Lido in the late 1950s, where they met Elvis Presley in 1959 and Don Lurio, the US-born Italian choreographer who brought them to Italy in 1961.

Success and Controversy in Italy
In Italy, where male-dominated journalism dubbed them “the nation’s legs,” their career flourished. They made their Italian debut on RAI’s highly popular variety shows “Giardino d’Inverno” and “Studio Uno.”

The sisters became symbols of talent, elegance, and female independence, achieving success during an era of strict conservative morals. Their popularity, however, sparked controversy when their bare legs violated RAI’s stringent dress code, forcing them to wear thick black tights during performances.

“We appeared semi-nude on television, but we believe we always maintained elegance without vulgarity. The criticism ultimately worked to our advantage,” Alice Kessler told Corriere. They also appeared in films and theatrical productions.

The sisters found significant success in the United States, performing with artists like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire. They lived together in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood until 1986, when they returned to Germany and settled in Grünwald.

Independence as a Symbol of Liberation
Both had romantic relationships—Ellen shared a 20-year relationship with Italian actor Umberto Orsini, while Alice was involved with French actor Marcel Amont and Italian actor Enrico Maria Salerno. However, they mutually agreed never to marry. In multiple interviews, they attributed this decision to their mother’s unhappy marriage marred by domestic violence.

Their work provided a clear sense of autonomy, they told Corriere. “We had a clear idea from the beginning, since we were girls: we must be independent. We never wanted to rely on a man in any way. We were feminists, though unintentionally: from age fifteen, we supported ourselves financially. We were always self-reliant. Perhaps, in the end, we became somewhat dependent on each other.”

Conclusion
The story of Alice and Ellen Kessler concludes as they lived—together, in a manner that encapsulates their remarkable journey. Their joint departure was not merely the fulfillment of an emotional wish but the final decision in lives spent challenging outdated norms and traditions. From defiantly appearing on Italian television against conservative dress codes to rejecting marriage to preserve their financial and emotional independence, they remained pioneers of women’s liberation. They embodied a model of strong, independent femininity that refused subordination. With their final act of will, they placed the last brushstroke on an extraordinary life canvas, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy as symbols of art and beauty, and as testament to the power of self-determination and the right to choose one’s destiny from beginning to end.