Germany is mourning two of its greatest showbusiness icons: Alice and Ellen Kessler have died at the age of 89. However, their death came as no surprise. On the contrary, the sisters had planned it together, just as they had lived their entire lives.
The glamorous twins, born on 20th August 1936 in Nerchau, Saxony, became world-renowned singers, dancers and audience favourites on international stages.
Inseparable in life, united forever in death
According to information from BILD, the two women died at their property in Grünwald, near Munich, through "assisted suicide". They no longer wanted to live and wanted to leave together.
In April 2024, Alice and Ellen had already revealed their extraordinary final wish to BILD: they wanted to be buried in the same urn. But that wasn't all. This urn would also contain the ashes of their mother Elsa (69) and those of their dog Yello (14).
The dog who was part of the family
"We've also stipulated it in our will," Ellen Kessler said at the time. A will that shows that, for the twins, their dog Yello was a very important member of their family.
A final wish as extraordinary as their career, and one that speaks volumes about the two women, their love of animals and their concept of family. Many animal lovers can probably understand this. However, there are certain requirements for a human-animal burial in Germany.
Police confirm assisted suicide
On Monday 17th November, police were informed that the sisters, aged 89, had used "assisted suicide". In Germany, this form of self-determined farewell is possible under strict legal conditions: it must be done entirely voluntarily and under one's own responsibility, and without external pressure.
A patrol from the local police station attended the property in Grünwald around midday. During the initial examination of the bodies, officers found no evidence of criminal activity.
The final act of two performers
Throughout the decades, the Kessler sisters were more than just sisters: they were stage partners, friends, mirror images of one another, and a unit that remained unshakeable.
An entire country is saying goodbye to two legends who stayed together until the very last moment.
