The Kessler twins — legendary performers who once shared the stage with icons like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire — passed away together on Monday through medically assisted death.
According to German outlet Bild, Alice and Ellen Kessler, both 89, died in their home near Munich after choosing to “end their lives together,” explaining that they no longer wished to continue living.
Born in 1936, the twins rose to fame in the 1950s and ’60s. They represented West Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959, earning eighth place and widespread admiration for their duet. Their popularity soared throughout the 1960s thanks to the variety show Studio Uno, and their appearance on the cover of Playboy further cemented their status as international stars.
On Monday, November 19, Alice and Ellen died at home with medical assistance.
Germany legalized medically assisted death in 2019. It differs from euthanasia — which remains illegal across Europe — because the patient administers the prescribed life-ending medication themselves, rather than a medical professional doing it for them. The law requires that the individual act voluntarily and responsibly.
In the Kessler sisters’ case, police were notified immediately following their deaths and quickly ruled out any foul play. In an interview with Bild last year, Alice and Ellen shared their wish to be placed in the same urn following their passing.
After the news broke, Radio Monte Carlo honored them with a moving tribute on Instagram:
“Alice and Ellen Kessler left together, just as they lived: inseparable. Born in 1936, they were an absolute symbol of European entertainment — music, dance, and television. In Italy, they became celebrities as the ‘legs of the nation,’ icons of elegance and stage presence since the Fifties. A unique artistic duo who left an indelible mark on the collective imagination.”
Rest in peace, Alice and Ellen Kessler.