Kessler twins had one wish before their death by assisted suicide on same day

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

Alice and Ellen Kessler, more commonly known as the Kessler twins, set out clear instructions for after their passing before they took the decision to end their lives by assisted dying.

The two women, who were well-known in the entertainment sphere and were talented singers, dancers and actresses, died at the age of 89 on Monday (17 November).

According to the German publication Bild, the sisters died by medical aid, which is legal under certain conditions in Germany, where they're from.

As per MailOnline, death by medical aid in Germany had been banned in the wake of a 2015 law which outlawed the 'commercial promotion of assisted suicide', however, a 2020 ruling by Germany's top court overturned it.

However, those who are seeking assistance in suicide must still make the decision entirely themselves, without any coercion.

Alice and Ellen Kessler died by assisted suicide earlier this week aged 89 (Helmut Reiss/United Archives via Getty Images)

The Spectator reported that a person in Germany helping an individual who has chosen to end their life will not be penalised for doing so.

However, the person ending their life must make that decision freely and take on full responsibility, allegedly signing a lot of forms to show that they understand this.

Bild stated that the two women 'no longer wanted to live' and 'they had chosen to end their lives together'.

Local authorities reportedly confirmed that they died together at their home, which was made up of adjoining residences separated by a dividing wall.

The famous German performers revealed their one wish before passing away (Hannes Magerstaedt / Stringer / Getty Images)

Ahead of their pre-planned passing, the Kessler twins - who performed alongside entertainers including Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire - revealed they wished their combined ashes to be placed in an urn after their death, alongside the remains of their mother, Elsa, and their dog, Yello.

"That's what we stipulated in our will," Ellen told Bild last year in 2024.

The Kessler twins found a loyal audience across Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Germany and Italy, turning up in a string of German musicals and romantic films.

Their work started early as they danced with the Leipzig children's Opera ballet, then secured visitor visas and left East Germany in 1952. After reaching Düsseldorf, they took to the stage at the Palladium there and later performed at The Lido in Paris.

Their profiles kept rising as they appeared on the Italian edition of Playboy in the 1950s and turned up on American television on shows like The Red Skelton Hour and The Ed Sullivan Show.

They eventually returned to Germany in 1986, settling in Grünwald, where they stayed for the rest of their lives.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.