The Extraordinary Lives: 5 Most Famous Conjoined Twins And Their Shocking Recent Updates

The fascinating and complex lives of conjoined twins have captured public curiosity for centuries, challenging our understanding of biology, autonomy, and shared existence. As of December 10, 2025, the narrative surrounding the world's most famous conjoined pairs continues to evolve, featuring both profound loss and unexpected new beginnings.

From the historical figures who gave rise to the term "Siamese Twins" to the modern-day educators and reality TV stars, these individuals have left an indelible mark on history and science. This article delves into the most notable cases, providing a deep, updated look at their unique biographies, their incredible achievements, and the most recent, sometimes shocking, life events that have brought them back into the global spotlight.

Abby and Brittany Hensel: Biography and Recent Life Updates

Abigail Loraine Hensel and Brittany Lee Hensel are arguably the most recognizable modern conjoined twins, largely due to their TLC reality show, Abby & Brittany. Their dicephalic parapagus conjoinment—two separate heads on one torso—is one of the rarest forms, yet they have navigated life with remarkable coordination and individuality.

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• Full Names: Abigail Loraine Hensel and Brittany Lee Hensel
• Born: March 7, 1990, in Carver County, Minnesota, USA
• Type of Conjoinment: Dicephalic Parapagus. They share one bloodstream and all organs below the waist, including the liver, bladder, and reproductive system. Each twin controls one side of the body.
• Education: Graduated from Bethel University with degrees in education.
• Career: Both are fifth-grade teachers in their home state of Minnesota.
• Media Appearances: Featured in a 2003 documentary, Joined for Life, and starred in the 2012 TLC reality series, Abby & Brittany.
• Recent Update (Marriage): It was recently revealed that Abby Hensel married nurse and Army veteran Josh Bowling in a private ceremony in November 2021.
• Recent Update (Family): In August 2025, the twins were spotted in public carrying a newborn baby in a car seat, sparking widespread speculation and excitement about their expanding family.

Abby Hensel's Marriage and the Question of Shared Life

The revelation of Abby Hensel's marriage to Josh Bowling, an event kept private for several years, ignited global discussion about the intricacies of their shared life. Their unique anatomy, classified as *dicephalic parapagus* (two heads, one body), means that while they share most major organs and their circulatory system, they maintain two distinct hearts, spinal cords, and brains.

The twins have always stressed their separate identities and individual aspirations, despite their physical bond. Abby's marriage underscores their long-held desire for a normal life, proving that a shared body does not preclude individual relationships, love, or personal milestones. The public response has largely been one of admiration for their courage and determination to defy medical expectations and societal norms.

The subsequent sighting of the twins with a newborn baby in late 2025 further intensified the conversation, as the Hensel sisters have previously expressed hopes of having children. While they have not publicly confirmed if the baby is theirs, the news highlights the incredible advancements in medical understanding and the possibility of complex family life for conjoined individuals.

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The Passing of Lori and George Schappell: World Record Holders

In a significant and somber update, the world lost its oldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, who passed away on April 7, 2024, at the age of 62. Their death marked the end of an extraordinary life that consistently defied medical predictions and challenged the definition of a single identity.

Lori and George were *craniopagus* twins, joined at the head, sharing vital blood vessels and 30% of their frontal lobe brain tissue, but having completely separate bodies and personalities. They were born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1961, and were initially identified as Lori and Dori. In 2007, Dori publicly came out as transgender and changed his name to George, making them the first known set of same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders.

Their lives were a testament to personal autonomy. Lori, who was able-bodied, worked in a laundry and supported George, who used a wheelchair due to spina bifida. George pursued a career as a country music singer, performing under the name Reba Schappell (a nod to Reba McEntire) and later under his own name. Their ability to maintain separate careers, travel, and even have their own romantic relationships while physically inseparable made them icons of independence. They secured a place in the *Guinness World Records* as the oldest living conjoined twins, a record they held until their passing.

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Chang and Eng Bunker: The Original "Siamese Twins"

No discussion of famous conjoined twins is complete without acknowledging Chang and Eng Bunker, the brothers who inadvertently lent their nationality to the medical term for the condition. Born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811, they were *xiphopagus* twins, joined at the sternum by a band of cartilage and shared liver tissue.

Their fame exploded in the 1830s when they began touring the world as a curiosity, eventually settling in the United States, becoming naturalized citizens, and adopting the surname Bunker. Their story is a powerful example of the intersection of medicine, showmanship, and family life in the 19th century.

A Life of Farming, Family, and Controversy

The Bunker twins' most remarkable chapter began when they retired from touring and settled in Surry County, North Carolina. In 1843, they married two separate sisters: Chang married Adelaide Yates, and Eng married Sarah Yates. This unique arrangement led to a total of 21 children between the two couples—Chang fathered 10 children, and Eng fathered 11.

To accommodate their wives and large family, the twins built two separate homes and famously spent three consecutive nights at one house before moving to the other for the next three nights. Their complex domestic life, which also included owning slaves, highlights the cultural and moral complexities of the Antebellum South. Chang and Eng Bunker died within hours of each other in 1874, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be studied by historians and medical professionals alike.

Other Notable Conjoined Twins and Their Legacies

The history of conjoined twins is rich with stories of resilience and medical marvel. While Abby and Brittany, and the recently departed Lori and George, dominate the current headlines, several other pairs have contributed significantly to our understanding of human development and survival.

Donnie and Ronnie Galyon (The Longevity Record)

Until the passing of the Schappell twins, Donnie and Ronnie Galyon held the *Guinness World Record* for the longest-surviving conjoined twins. Born in Ohio in 1951, they were *omphalopagus* twins, joined at the abdomen and sharing a lower digestive tract. They spent their lives working in the carnival circuit to support their family. They passed away on July 4, 2020, at the age of 68, a record that was subsequently broken by Lori and George Schappell.

Daisy and Violet Hilton (Show Business Stars)

Born in England in 1908, Daisy and Violet Hilton were *pygopagus* twins, joined at the hips and sharing a fused pelvis and circulatory system. They were famously exploited in the vaudeville and sideshow circuits, achieving great fame in the 1920s and 30s. Their story inspired the musical *Side Show* and the film *Chained for Life*, cementing their status as cultural icons who fought for their independence from their abusive managers.

The stories of these famous conjoined twins—from the historical Bunkers to the modern Hensels—serve as powerful reminders of the incredible capacity of the human spirit. Their lives, marked by unique challenges and extraordinary achievements, continue to push the boundaries of medical science and social acceptance, ensuring their place as enduring figures in global history. The recent updates, particularly the passing of Lori and George and the new family milestones for Abby and Brittany, underscore that their remarkable journeys are still unfolding.