Alice and Ellen Kessler, the celebrated German twin entertainers who captivated audiences for decades alongside icons like Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra, have died at the age of 89. The sisters passed away Tuesday at their home in Grünwald, Germany, in a joint, assisted suicide, police confirmed, a decision made public by both the German Society for humane Dying and Bavarian Broadcasting.Having fled East Germany for West Germany in 1952, the Kesslers rose to international fame with their synchronized dance and vocal performances, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Twin dancers and singers Alice and Ellen Kessler, who shared the stage with entertainment legends like Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte during a decades-long career, have died at age 89, authorities confirmed Tuesday. The sisters, a beloved duo in the entertainment world, passed away in their home in Grünwald, a suburb of Munich, Germany.
News of their deaths first emerged Monday in German media outlets like Bild and the dpa news agency. Munich police later confirmed the deaths in a statement, classifying them as a “joint suicide.” The German Society for Humane Dying also confirmed to Bavarian Broadcasting that the twins had opted for assisted suicide, according to a statement.
Goettert / AP
Born into a performing arts family, the Kessler twins began their dance training at a young age, joining the children’s ballet at the Leipzig Opera. In 1952, at age 16, they fled with their family to West Germany, where they quickly found work performing in a revue theater in Düsseldorf. Their international breakthrough came in 1955 when they were discovered by the director of the Lido cabaret in Paris.
Victor Crawshaw/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 
The 1960s saw the Kessler twins embark on a global tour, eventually leading them to Rome, where they shared the stage with some of the biggest names in entertainment. They performed alongside Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte, becoming a sought-after act on the international circuit. In 1964, they famously turned down an offer to appear in Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas,” fearing it would typecast them within American musical films, dpa reported. This decision underscored their commitment to artistic versatility.
Gerolamo di Majo / AP 
Even into their 80s, the Kessler twins continued to grace the stage, appearing in a musical production. Shortly before their 80th birthday, Alice Kessler reflected on their enduring partnership, stating, “We probably wouldn’t have managed to perform for so long alone.”
She emphasized the strength found in their unity, adding, “Being a twosome ‘only has advantages.’ Together you’re stronger.” When asked about the secret to their success, she remarked, “Discipline, every day. Gratitude, time and again. Humility, not cockiness. And togetherness. Until death.”
Gisela Schober / Getty Images 
In a conversation with German tabloid Bild in April 2024, the twins revealed their wish to be buried together in the same urn, alongside their mother and beloved dog. “That’s what we stipulated in our wills,” Ellen Kessler told the publication.
Assisted suicide is legal in nine European countries, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Cuba, and Ecuador, according to the nonprofit Dignity in Dying.
In the U.S., medical aid in dying is currently legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C., with at least eight other states considering similar legislation this year, according to Death with Dignity. Currently, lawmakers and advocates in New York are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the “Medical Aid In Dying” bill, which would provide terminally ill adults with the option of a doctor-prescribed medication for end-of-life care.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
