Khaberni - The Kessler sisters, Alice and Eillen, whose stardom rose in the 1950s and 1960s as one of the most famous artistic duos in Germany and Europe, passed away on Monday at their home near Munich, according to the German newspaper Bild.
The American site "Entertainment Weekly" reports that the twin sisters (age 89) chose to end their lives with medical assistance, as permitted by German law, and passed away together in adjoining apartments separated by a sliding wall, in the town of Grunwald where they had lived for many years.
Early Beginnings and an Exceptional Career
Alice and Eillen Kessler were born in 1936 in Nerchau, Germany. According to Parade magazine, their talent emerged during childhood through performances at the Leipzig Opera.
In their teenage years, they became prominent figures in singing and dancing performances, before launching into widespread international fame, performing on stage with major names such as Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra during tours in Europe and the United States, later becoming some of the most famous artists on European television.
In the 1960s, the sisters became a public phenomenon in Italy after appearing in prominent shows such as "Giardino d’inverno" and "Studio Uno".
Gateway to American Fame
In 2015, the sisters—in an interview with Eurovision radio—spoke about the moment that marked a turning point in their careers when they appeared on "The Red Skelton Show".
They said, "That appearance was very successful. Right after it, we appeared on the cover of ‘Life’ magazine… and when you get on the cover of ‘Life’, your career really begins. And that's what happened with us."
Following that, they participated in prominent American shows, including "The Dean Martin Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1966 and 1967.
Alice and Eillen Kessler worked with some of the top artists of that era, including Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Eddie Fisher.
Twins... but a Special Case
Despite working in a competitive artistic environment, the sisters confirmed that they never felt any competition between them, "We were twins… a special case. We weren't just one singer, but a duo unlike any other."
In an interview with Bild newspaper in April 2024, the sisters revealed their wish to be buried together in one urn, alongside the remains of their mother and their dog "Yello," a wish that was indeed fulfilled.
