Kessler Twins,Pioneering Performers,Die Aged 89
Grünwald,Germany – Alice and Ellen Kessler,the identical twin sisters who captivated audiences across Europe and the United States with their singing,dancing,and striking stage presence,have died together at their home in Grünwald,Germany,aged 89. Their deaths mark the end of an era for a duo who challenged conservative norms and embodied female independence through their decades-long career.
The Kesslers rose to prominence in Italy during the 1950s and 60s, becoming icons of talent and elegance. Their success coincided with a period of rigid social morals, and their performances - frequently enough featuring bare legs – initially clashed with state broadcaster Rai’s strict dress code, leading to demands they wear thick black stockings. Despite the controversy, or perhaps as of it, they gained a devoted following. The sisters later extended their careers to film, theatre, and performances alongside entertainment legends like Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire.
Born in Germany in 1934, the twins began performing as children, honing their skills in dance and song. They achieved breakthrough success in Italy, where they were celebrated for their synchronized routines and glamorous style. “We were scantily clad on TV, but we think we were always elegant, never vulgar. There were criticisms, but that was a plus for us,” they told Corriere della Sera in a recent interview.
Throughout their career, Alice and Ellen maintained a strong bond and a shared commitment to independence. They both enjoyed significant romantic relationships – Ellen with Italian actor Umberto Orsini for 20 years, and Alice with French actor Marcel Amont and Italian actor Enrico Maria Salerno – but made a pact never to marry, a decision influenced by their mother’s unhappy marriage and experience with domestic violence.
The sisters lived together in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood until 1986, when they returned to their native Germany and settled in Grünwald. They continued to perform occasionally, including a performance in Berlin in 1997.
“We had a clear idea right from the start, ever as we were girls: we had to be independent. We didn’t want to depend on a man in any way,” they explained to Corriere. “We were feminists, but without thinking about it: from the age of 15, we started earning our own living. We’ve always been independent. Perhaps, we became a little dependent on each other.”
