Warning: this article contains discussion surrounding suicide that some readers may find distressing.
The Kessler twins, known for their performances with Frank Sinatra, passed away on Monday (November 17) after choosing to end their lives together through medical assistance.
Alice and Ellen Kessler, who were born in August 1936, rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. Their 1959 duet at the Eurovision Song Contest earned them eighth place for West Germany.
They gained international recognition through the 60s variety show Studio Uno and later appeared on the cover of the renowned Playboy magazine.
The German newspaper Bild reported that the twins, both aged 89, passed away at their home near Munich through medical aid in dying on Monday.
The sisters reportedly ‘no longer wanted to live’ and chose to ‘end their lives together’.
Medical aid in dying has been legal in Germany since 2019, distinguishing it from euthanasia, which remains illegal in the country.
In the case of medical aid in dying, patients are responsible for self-administering the prescribed medication to end their lives, rather than having it administered by a doctor.
This is legal when the individual ‘acts responsibly and of their own free will’. The assister must not carry out the act themselves, as this would be considered euthanasia.
Authorities reportedly confirmed the twins’ deaths and quickly ruled out any foul play.
In an interview last April, Alice and Ellen expressed their wish to be buried together in the same urn one day.
Social media has seen an outpouring of tributes for the renowned twins, including one from Radio Monte Carlo on Instagram.
They wrote: “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”, icon of elegance and stage presence since the Fifties.
“A unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.