In the spotlight: France – Barbara Pravi

Alice and Ellen Kessler, the famous German-born twin sisters who dazzled Europe’s stages and screen in the 1950s and 1960s, have died at the age of 89. German newspaper Bild reports that the identical twins chose to end their lives together via legal euthanasia. The Kessler Sisters passed away in their longtime home in Grünwald, Bavaria. With this they fulfilled a lifelong wish to remain side by side even in death.  From Post-War Beginnings to Eurovision Stage Alice and Ellen Kessler were born in 1936 in the Saxony region of Germany. They grew up in a divided, post-war Europe. Trained in ballet from childhood, the twins fled East Germany as teenagers in 1952 to seek artistic freedom in the West. Their leap of faith quickly paid off. By 19, they were performing at the famed Lido cabaret in Paris, marking the start of an international career. The Kessler Twins soon became one of Germany’s most successful entertainment acts. The sisters shared stages with legends like Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Harry Belafonte during the 1960s. They even turned down a chance to appear with Elvis Presley in a Hollywood film, keen to chart their own path in show business. In 1959, the sisters’ rising stardom led them to the Eurovision Song Contest. Alice and Ellen were selected to represent West Germany at that year’s competition in Cannes  where they performed the upbeat “Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh’n”. Their lively entry earned 8th place in the contest. Though they did not take home the trophy, the Kessler Twins’ Eurovision appearance amplified their fame and endeared them to audiences beyond Germany. Stardom in Germany and Italy The Kessler Sisters continued to conquer Europe’s entertainment scene. In the 1960s they moved to Italy, where they became beloved television stars on the RAI variety show Studio Uno. They were known as “Le Gemelle Kessler”. Italian viewers were captivated by the twins’ synchronized dancing, fashionable costumes, and catchy musical numbers. At the same time, the sisters remained popular in their native Germany. They headlined many TV specials and stage revues during the post-war entertainment boom. Their ability to cross cultural boundaries made them symbols of a new, optimistic Europe. Two German performers who could sing in multiple languages and light up screens from Munich to Rome. Throughout their long career, Alice and Ellen Kessler made significant contributions to music and entertainment across the continent. They recorded numerous singles. The sisters appeared in films and theatrical productions, and even graced American TV with spots on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Red Skelton Hour. Both the German and Italian governments recognized the twins’ cultural impact. The sisters received honors including the prestigious Rose d’Or television award and Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit for their artistic achievements. Decades later, in 1986, the Kesslers returned to Germany. However, they continued to perform occasionally on television in both countries, embodying a living bridge between Italian and German popular culture. A Lasting Bond and Legacy In their final years, the Kessler Twins lived quietly as neighbors in Munich, remaining as close as ever. The duo decided together that neither would have to live without the other, electing to depart this life on their own terms. The twins had even stipulated in their will that their ashes be kept together in one urn, underlining their lifelong unity. As news of their passing spread, many across Europe have been reflecting on the joy and unity Alice and Ellen brought to the post-war generation. Alice once summed up the secret to their enduring success and sisterhood. “Every day discipline, always gratitude, humility instead of arrogance, and togetherness. Until death.” In the end, that togetherness truly lasted until death. The Kessler Sisters leave behind a legacy as trailblazers of European entertainment and Eurovision pioneers, forever remembered for the sparkle, elegance, and heartfelt harmony they brought to the stage.