The Kessler twins, Alice and Ellen—renowned performers who shared stages with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire—passed away on Monday at the age of 89 through medically assisted dying. According to the German outlet Bild, the sisters chose to end their lives together at their home near Munich, expressing that they no longer wished to continue living.
Born in 1936, the twins rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. They first gained international attention when they represented West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, placing eighth and earning widespread praise. Their popularity grew further through frequent appearances on the variety show Studio Uno and their iconic feature on the cover of Playboy, which expanded their global stardom.
Alice and Ellen died on November 19 with medical assistance—an option legal in Germany since 2019. This procedure differs from euthanasia, which remains illegal across Europe. In medically assisted dying, the individual administers the prescribed life-ending medication themselves and must be deemed capable, responsible, and acting voluntarily.
Authorities were notified immediately after their passing, and police quickly ruled out any suspicion of foul play. The twins had previously told Bild that they wished to be placed together in a single urn, reflecting their lifelong closeness.
Tributes poured in following the announcement. Radio Monte Carlo honored the pair with a heartfelt message, noting that they “left together, just as they lived: inseparable,” and calling them enduring symbols of European entertainment across music, dance, and television.
The tribute emphasized how beloved they became in Italy, where they were nicknamed “the legs of the nation” for their elegance and stage presence, especially during the 1950s and 1960s.
Their legacy was described as “a unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination,” celebrating a career that spanned more than six decades.
May Alice and Ellen Kessler rest in peace, remembered for their talent, grace, and unbreakable bond.