german Entertainment Duo, the Kessler Twins, Die by Assisted Suicide
Munich, Germany – Renowned German entertainment duo Alice and Ellen Kessler, celebrated for their performances alongside entertainment icons like Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra, have died by assisted suicide in Switzerland, according to reports confirmed by their family. The twins, 86, chose to end their lives together, a decision made possible by Switzerland’s more permissive laws regarding assisted dying.
The sisters’ passing underscores a growing global conversation surrounding end-of-life choices and the right to die wiht dignity. Their story arrives as assisted suicide and medical aid-in-dying laws are being debated and implemented in various countries and U.S. states, including New York, were a bill is currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. The Kesslers’ decision highlights the complexities and personal motivations driving individuals to seek control over their final moments.
Alice and Ellen Kessler rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s, captivating audiences with their synchronized swimming, dancing, and comedic routines. They performed in prestigious venues across Europe and the United States, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Their act, known for its precision and charm, earned them a dedicated following and cemented their place in German entertainment history.
The twins had expressed a long-held desire to die together, a wish they were unable to fulfill in their native germany, where assisted suicide is illegal. According to family statements, they found the prospect of facing declining health and potential separation unacceptable. They ultimately traveled to Switzerland, where assisted suicide is permitted for individuals suffering from a terminal illness or unbearable suffering, to carry out their plan.
Assisted suicide is currently legal in nine European countries,as well as Canada,Australia,New zealand,Colombia,Cuba,and Ecuador. In the United states,ten states and washington,D.C. have legalized dying with medical assistance, with at least eight additional states considering similar legislation this year. The “Medical Aid In Dying” bill in New York, if signed into law, would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request a prescription for medication to end their lives.
