Abby Hensel: A Complete Biography and Profile
Abigail Loraine Hensel and her sister, Brittany Lee Hensel, are among the world's most famous conjoined twins, known for their appearance on *The Oprah Winfrey Show* and their own TLC reality series, *Abby & Brittany*.
- Full Name: Abigail Loraine Hensel
- Sister’s Name: Brittany Lee Hensel
- Date of Birth: March 7, 1990
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 35 years old
- Place of Birth: Carver County, Minnesota, USA
- Parents: Patty and Mike Hensel
- Twin Type: Dicephalic Parapagus (two heads, one torso)
- Shared Anatomy: They share a single bloodstream, a single pelvis, and most organs below the waist, but each controls one side of their shared body. Abby controls the right arm and leg, while Brittany controls the left.
- Education: Graduated from Bethel University with a degree in education.
- Current Career: Fifth-Grade Math Teachers
- Spouse: Josh Bowling (Married 2021)
The Truth About Abby Hensel’s Marriage to Josh Bowling
The biggest news story surrounding Abby Hensel in recent years was the revelation of her marriage. Public records, first reported in March 2024, confirmed that Abby had married a man named Josh Bowling in 2021.
Who is Josh Bowling?
Abby Hensel's husband, Josh Bowling, is a US Army veteran and a nurse. The couple has kept their relationship and marriage largely private, choosing to live a life away from the intense media scrutiny they experienced during their reality TV days. The wedding itself took place in 2021, but the news only became public knowledge three years later, demonstrating their commitment to privacy.
Navigating a Shared Marriage
The concept of a conjoined twin getting married immediately raises questions of logistics, privacy, and the emotional dynamics of the trio. While only Abby is legally married to Josh Bowling, the reality is that the relationship is a shared experience involving Brittany as well.
The sisters have always maintained a strong sense of individuality despite their shared body. They have distinct personalities, interests, and even different body temperatures. This sense of personal autonomy extends to their romantic lives. The twins have previously stated that they hope to get married and have children one day, and Abby's marriage marks a major milestone in fulfilling that dream.
Josh Bowling also has a daughter from a previous relationship, who has been seen in photos shared by Bowling on social media, indicating a blended family dynamic.
Life After Reality TV: Abby and Brittany’s Thriving Career
After their reality show *Abby & Brittany* aired on TLC in 2012, the Hensel twins consciously stepped back from the public spotlight. They chose to focus on their education and their long-term career goals, which they have successfully achieved.
Fifth-Grade Math Teachers
Today, both Abby and Brittany Hensel are thriving as fifth-grade math teachers at Sunnyside Elementary School in Minnesota. Their commitment to education is a testament to their desire for a normal, fulfilling life outside of their extraordinary circumstances.
They graduated from Bethel University with degrees in education, a process that required them to coordinate their studies, learning, and testing as a singular unit.
The Unique Challenge of a Shared Job
As conjoined twins, they share one body, but they possess two distinct degrees and two separate teaching licenses. They effectively function as one teacher in the classroom, a unique arrangement that has been fully embraced by their school and students.
Interestingly, they receive one combined salary for their work. They have previously expressed that they feel they should be paid two salaries due to the fact that they perform the work of two people—one teaching and one managing the classroom—but they have accepted the single paycheck for now.
Their students and colleagues reportedly adore them, finding their ability to teach and manage a classroom seamlessly to be both inspiring and effective.
Understanding Dicephalic Parapagus: The Medical Reality
Abby and Brittany are dicephalic parapagus twins, which is an extremely rare form of conjoinment. This means they are joined side-by-side with two heads on one torso.
They have two separate spinal cords, two hearts (with a shared circulatory system), two sets of lungs, two stomachs, and two gallbladders. However, they share a single liver, a single large intestine, and a single reproductive system.
Crucially, each twin controls the arm and leg on her side of the body. They have mastered the ability to coordinate their movements to walk, run, drive a car, swim, and even play the piano, a feat of coordination that is medically astounding.
Early in their lives, their parents, Patty and Mike Hensel, made the difficult but firm decision not to attempt separation surgery. Doctors gave them a low chance of survival, and the parents believed it was best to allow the girls to live together, a decision that has allowed Abby and Brittany to lead a full and independent life.
Abby and Brittany’s Privacy in 2025
Following the media storm from their reality show and the recent news of Abby's marriage, the Hensel twins have become even more committed to living a quiet life. They have largely withdrawn from social media and public interviews, preferring to focus on their teaching careers and their personal relationships, including Abby's marriage.
Their story continues to be one of resilience, fierce independence, and the profound power of human connection. Abby Hensel’s journey, especially her marriage to Josh Bowling, serves as a powerful reminder that love and life’s milestones can be achieved regardless of physical limitations, cementing their status as global inspirations. The twins remain focused on their future, which they have always stated includes hopes of having a family.
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