Alice and Ellen Kessler reached international fame in the 1950’s and 1960’s, post European Civil War, as the first showgirls ever to show their legs and appear on Italian TV.
The duo, born in Germany in 1936, became famous entertainers, dancers, and actresses. As little girls their father placed them in ballet, marketed his daughters, and encouraged them to step into the limelight. The twins got their first break in Paris and later made cameo appearances in New York, Las Vegas, Sydney and more. The twins also worked with Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, and received an invitation to work with Elvis Presley. The duo declined Presley’s invitation fearing it would confine them to music films in Hollywood.
The pair also recorded music and appeared in movies and magazines. Neither twin ever married or had children. In an interview they expressed the importance of maintaining independence and having no desire to have children.
After 70 years in showbiz the sisters made another calculated decision to end their lives together at the age of 89 with assisted suicide, which is legal in Germany. They chose to move forward with their death plans after Ellen recently had a stroke. The German Society for Humane Dying provides people with access to lawyers, doctors, and other resources. The twins were members of the organization for over a year and met requirements of being free from any psychiatric crisis or mental outside pressure to end one’s life.
Alice and Ellen Kessler August 20, 1936 – November 17, 2025
