Early Life and Background
Alice and Ellen Kessler were born on August 20, 1936, in Nerchau, Saxony, Germany. Even when they were very young, they loved dancing. They started learning ballet at the age of six. When they turned eleven, they joined the children’s ballet group of the Leipzig Opera.
In 1952, their family escaped from East Germany to West Germany. After moving, the twins began performing in theaters in Düsseldorf, which became the start of their professional life.
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Breakthrough and International Fame
Their big success came in 1955 when the director of the Lido cabaret in Paris noticed them. They performed at the Lido from 1955 to 1960 and became famous all over the world.
They even shared the stage with big stars like Elvis Presley. In 1959, they represented West Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh’n” and finished in eighth place.
Italian Stardom and Television Success
In 1961, the Kessler Twins moved to Italy, and their fame grew even more. They appeared on a very popular TV show called Studio Uno from 1961 to 1966. Almost everyone in Italy knew them, and people lovingly called them “Le gemelle Kessler” (The Kessler Twins). They were known for their elegant style and perfect dancing, and many even called them “the nation’s legs.” At age 40, they were featured in Italian Playboy, and that issue sold a record number of copies.
Career Highlights in the United States
The twins also became known in the United States. They appeared on famous TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Red Skelton Hour. They acted in the 1962 movie Sodom and Gomorrah and performed with legendary artists such as Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte. They once refused a movie role with Elvis Presley because they did not want to be given the same type of roles again and again.
Kessler Twins – Personal Life and Lasting Bond
Both sisters had long-term relationships—Ellen with actor Umberto Orsini and Alice with singer Marcel Amont—but neither of them got married. They stayed very close throughout their lives. Their strong bond, discipline, and support for each other helped them stay united onstage and offstage.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1986, the twins returned to Germany and settled near Munich. Over the years, they received many awards for their work and for helping connect German and Italian culture. On November 17, 2025, at the age of 89, Alice and Ellen chose to end their lives together through assisted suicide, showing their deep lifelong connection until the end.
Their legacy lives on as two great entertainers who fascinated audiences around the world with their beauty, talent, and grace.