Iconic German Duo the Kessler Twins Die by Assisted Suicide at 89

In a tragic turn of events, the iconic German entertainment duo the Kessler Twins have died by assisted suicide at the age of 89. According to a report in the German newspaper Bild, sisters Alice and Ellen Kessler chose to end their lives together on Monday in their home near Munich.

The Kessler Twins rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, entertaining crowds across the United States and Europe with their singing and dancing. Born in Germany in 1936, the sisters performed with the Leipzig Opera as children before going on to share the stage with legendary artists like Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra. They also became known for their appearances on popular Italian TV shows such as Giardino d'inverno and Studio Uno.

The Kesslers' careers reached new heights when they appeared on The Red Skelton Show in the US, which they credited as the point where they truly became a hit stateside. They went on to perform on other iconic American programs like The Dean Martin Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. Despite their success, the twins said they never felt intense competition in the US, as their unique status as a duo set them apart.

Authorities have confirmed the deaths of the Kessler Twins in Grünwald, where they shared adjoining flats divided by a sliding wall. The sisters had previously expressed their wish to have their ashes buried together, along with those of their mother and their dog, Yello.