‎Kessler Twins Dead at 89: Iconic Postwar Entertainers Die by Joint Assisted Suicide in Germany

‎The Kessler twins, celebrated for their influential contributions to postwar European entertainment throughout the 1950s and 1960s, have died at age 89 through a joint assisted suicide at their home in Grünwald, near Munich, Germany. Their deaths were reported on Monday.

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Legendary postwar entertainers Alice and Ellen Kessler die at 89 by joint assisted suicide, ending their lives together with DGHS support in Germany.

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‎The sisters had “no longer wanted to live” and “chose to end their lives together,” according to German outlet Bild. CNN reported that their assisted death was supported by the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS), an advocacy organization that provides members with access to legal counsel, medical experts and end-of-life planning tools.

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‎The DGHS confirmed that Alice and Ellen Kessler had contacted the organization more than a year ago and formally became members. DGHS spokesperson Wega Wetzel stated that the primary factor was the twins’ shared intention to die on a specific date, though the personal motivations behind each woman’s decision were not disclosed. Wetzel also emphasized that their decision was “well-considered, long-standing and free from any psychiatric crisis.”

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‎According to a DGHS statement cited by NBC News, the twins had engaged in preliminary discussions with both a lawyer and a doctor. German law permits assisted dying following a 2020 ruling affirming an individual’s right to end their life with third-party help if the choice is made freely and without external pressure. The organization noted that individuals must be “clear-headed” and demonstrate that the decision is thoughtful and developed over time.

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‎Local police confirmed to CNN that they responded to a deployment at the twins’ residence on Monday afternoon and ruled out foul play.

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‎Reports from April 2024 indicated that Alice and Ellen requested for their ashes to be placed in the same urn, and they are expected to be buried alongside their mother, Elsa, and their dog Yello.

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‎The twins were born in 1936 in Nazi Germany, and their family later fled East Germany for West Germany in 1952. Their early ballet training eventually led to international recognition, beginning with their performances at the Lido in Paris, a renowned venue for cabaret productions.

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‎Their careers expanded across Europe as they appeared on Italy’s “Studio Uno,” represented Germany at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest and became known for being the first female performers to show their legs on television. Their rise in popularity brought them to major U.S. variety programs, including “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Dean Martin Show.” They also developed connections with entertainment icons such as Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Elvis Presley and Rock Hudson.

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‎Following their deaths, “The Ed Sullivan Show” honored Alice and Ellen on its official Instagram account, calling them “dazzling stars” and “true legends.” Radio Monte Carlo also released a tribute describing them as inseparable throughout their lives and as symbols of European entertainment known for music, dance and television. The tribute highlighted their influence on Italian pop culture, where they were widely recognized for their elegance and stage presence.