Legendary German Duo Who Performed with Astaire and Sinatra Die Together – Cause of Death Revealed

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Alice and Ellen Kessler, identical twin sisters celebrated for their dancing and singing, have passed away at 89. The German-born performers shared the stage with entertainment icons like Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte.

German police announced on Tuesday that the two sisters were found dead in Grünwald, an affluent area of Munich, and believe they died by suicide together.

Germany’s Society for Humane Dying confirmed to Bavarian Broadcasting that the death was an assisted suicide. The news was initially reported by Bild and dpa, two German news organizations.

The Kessler twins started dancing as children and trained with the ballet at the Leipzig Opera. When they were sixteen, in 1952, their family moved to West Germany, and they began performing in a theater in Düsseldorf. Their career took off in 1955 when the director of the Lido cabaret in Paris saw their act and offered them a performance opportunity, leading to international fame.

In the 1960s, the sisters toured the world, sharing the stage with famous performers like Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Belafonte in Rome. News agency dpa reports that they were even offered a role in Elvis Presley’s 1964 movie “Viva Las Vegas,” but declined, worried it would limit their future roles to American musicals.

The twin sisters continued to perform successfully well into old age, even appearing on stage in their 80s. Alice once explained that they likely wouldn’t have been able to perform for so many years if they hadn’t had each other.

The sisters frequently discussed how powerful it was to work as a pair. Alice explained that being together was always an advantage, making them stronger as a team. When asked about the secret to their enduring success, she emphasized daily discipline, consistent gratitude, and staying humble. Above all, she said, their togetherness would last a lifetime.

The Kessler twins will be fondly remembered for their long and successful careers, performing all over the world, and the strong connection they had with each other, both professionally and personally.

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2025-11-19 12:15