The Kessler twins, Alice and Ellen—renowned performers who once shared stages with legends like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire—passed away on Monday through medical aid at the age of 89. According to reports from 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 prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining early recognition when they represented West Germany in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest. Their duet secured eighth place and earned widespread praise. Their popularity grew even further during the 1960s with frequent appearances on the variety show Studio Uno, and their feature on the cover of Playboy propelled them into international stardom.
Alice and Ellen died on Monday, November 19, with medical assistance—an option that has been legal in Germany since 2019. This process differs significantly from euthanasia, which remains illegal across Europe. In medically assisted dying, the individual administers the prescribed life-ending medication themselves, and it is only permitted when the person is deemed responsible and acting of their own free will.
In the twins’ case, authorities were notified immediately after their passing, and police quickly ruled out any suspicion of foul play. The sisters had previously shared with Bild that they wished to be placed together in a single urn after their deaths.
Tributes began pouring in soon after the news broke. Radio Monte Carlo honored the pair on Instagram with a heartfelt message:
“Alice and Ellen Kessler left together, just as they lived: inseparable. Born in 1936, they were an absolute symbol of European spectacle, including music, dance, and television. In Italy, they became celebrities as the ‘legs of the nation,’ icons of elegance and stage presence since the Fifties.”
The tribute continued, reflecting on their cultural legacy:
“A unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination.”
May Alice and Ellen Kessler rest in peace.
