Were The Kessler Twins Married? Know Why Alice, Ellen Choose To Die Together By Assisted Euthanasia

Alice and Ellen Kessler, who once charmed the world with graceful moves, are back in the global spotlight for the first time in decades. But unlike their renowned performances, this time the Kesslers are in the news because they now choose to die peacefully through medically assisted euthanasia at the age of 89. Alice and Ellen were last seen in the public eye before 1986 and then chose to live a quiet life near Grunwald near Munich. However, after 40 years, away from the spotlight.

The Kessler twins' death was confirmed by the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS) that the sisters, who were inseparable throughout their lives, chose to bid farewell to the world together. Apart from marking the end of a post-World War II era in show business, Alice and Ellen's demise has brought a renewed spotlight to their lives once again.

Were the Kessler Twins married? Here's everything to know about their personal lives

One of the most frequently asked questions about The Kessler Twins on the internet is whether they ever got married. According to Bild, Germany's leading tabloid, which frequently covered interviews with the sisters, they never married. However, they did have several love affairs during the initial phase of their life and youth. But in the end, Alice and Ellen never settled down with any long-term romantic partner. 

Instead, Bild reported in 2019 and again in 2024, they chose each other as their lifelong companions. Moreover, in their previous interviews, the sisters have often opened up about how they prefer to focus on their career, independence and sister bond over everything else. In one interview, Alice famously expressed their desire to have their ashes mixed with those of their mother. For those unaware, their mother, Elsa, is buried at Waldfriedhof cemetery near Munich, which held a special significance for the sisters. In her words: 

"Ellen and I want our ashes to be mixed with our mother's — all three of us in the same urn. We included this in our will." 

Why did Alice and Ellen choose to die together with assisted euthanasia?

According to DGHS, Alice and Ellen chose a rare but voluntary way of assisted euthanasia to die. They confirmed that it was a "well-considered, long-standing and free from any psychiatric crisis." Meanwhile, medical aid in dying has been a legal method for demise in Germany since 2019, when the patient self-administers the prescribed medical drug. It is different from euthanasia, which has remained illegal since it involves a doctor giving medical drugs to the person. 

Bild reported that the twins expressed to close friends how it would be "hard to bear" living without each other. In fact, they lived in adjoining apartments with a sliding wall highlighting their strong connection. Authorities discovered their death after they visited their home on November 17, 2025, with no signs of foul play. 

Who were the Kessler Twins? 

The Kessler Twins were born in August 1936 in Nerchau, Germany. They began artistic training at the mere age of six. After escaping East Germany during the Second World War, they joined the Leipzig Opera and later built their careers in Europe. According to German Archives, the Kessler Twins rose to fame in the 1950s and '60s with their performances of cabaret and ballet in film and TV. The duo performed at the Lido in Paris. It represented their country in the Eurovision Song Contestant, where they met big stalwarts like Elvis Presley, Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Harry Belafonte. Later, when they stepped away from public life, their dog, Yello, always remained by their side.

Rest in peace, Alice and Ellen Kessler.

Next Read: Meet India's First AI Actress, Naina Avtr, Reveals Her Thoughts On Her Debut, Says 'I'm Not Here...'

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)