5 of the World's Most Famous Conjoined Twins

If you’re interested in learning about the most famous conjoined twins, you’ve come to the right place.

According to research conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, one in every 200,000 twin births is a conjoined twin birth. Sadly, 40% - 60% of those are stillbirths. Of those who survive, 35% pass within their first day of life.

Today, we’ll be highlighting five of the world's most famous conjoined twins and discussing how their unusual birth affected their lives.

About Conjoined Twins

Conjoined twins are children born physically attached to one another. They usually develop during the early embryo stage. Instead of the embryo completely separating to form two individuals, it only partially separates.

Conjoined twins are commonly attached at the pelvis, chest, or buttocks. It is also common for twins to share one or multiple organs, veins, and arteries. Sometimes, conjoined twins share limbs. For example, twins might share one leg, one arm, reproductive systems, or digestive systems.

Conjoined twins are commonly diagnosed during early pregnancy via a prenatal ultrasound. This usually occurs at the 18-week mark.

Once diagnosed, the initial prenatal examination is important. This is when doctors examine where the twins are attached and which organs they share. This information is vital when considering surgical separation.

There are quite a few factors that affect the decision to have a separation surgery. The health of the twins, access to advanced medical healthcare facilities, and the family's opinions are just a few factors. If the twins are older, their needs and wants must be accounted for.

Famous Conjoined Twins

Here is a list of the most famous conjoined twins in the world!

1. Abby and Brittany Hensel

Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Lee Hensel are undoubtedly one of the most famous pairs of twins in the world. They were born in 1990 in the United States and have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.

As with most conjoined twins, when Abby and Brittany Hensel were born, their diagnosis was poor, and their parents were told that it was likely they wouldn’t survive. But, the twins' parents decided to stay optimistic, and the rest is history!

After graduating from Mayer Lutheran High School, Abby and Brittany set off for college! How amazing is that?

The case of the Hensel twins is quite interesting as they have two hearts, two sets of lungs, and two brains. However, one sister controls the right side of the body, and the other controls the left side of the body.

Despite their challenges, the Hensel twins have achieved more than most people their age. They have driving licenses, can ride bikes, and manage everyday life with ease.

Since appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996, they’ve appeared in many tv shows. Abby and Brittany now have a documentary, self-titled ‘Abby and Brittany’ that will air on TLC.

2. Chang and Eng Bunker

Chang and Eng Bunker were born in 1811 and were one of the first recorded cases of conjoined twins. The twins were born in Siam (now known as Thailand). Interestingly, this is where the term ‘Siamese twins’ comes from.

With the medical know-how of today, Chang and Eng could have been easily surgically separated. However, it was much more difficult to perform such operations in the early 1800s. The Siamese twins remained conjoined for the rest of their lives.

The twins spent their lives touring as entertainers and earned a living as living wonders. They eventually married sisters and settled in North Carolina.

3. Daisy and Violet Hilton

Daisy and Violet Hilton, commonly known as the Hilton sisters, were born in 1908. Unfortunately, their lives weren’t as blessed as the other twins on this list.

The Hilton sisters were born to a young mother, only 19 years old, who worked in a bar. Shortly after giving birth, she sold them to her boss. He took the twins and exhibited them around the world.

Daisy and Violet gained recognition in Germany, Australia, and the United States. They even performed in a Bob Hope act.

In 1931, they finally gained independence and went into Vaudeville. Once there, they dubbed themselves the Hilton sisters. After a time of performing, they eventually settled in Florida, where they ran a hamburger stand.

After making a public appearance in North Carolina, the twins were abandoned by their tour manager. The Hilton sisters remained in the state until they passed away in 1969.

4. Lori and George Schappell

Lori and George (born Dori) Schappell were born in 1961 and grew up in a Pennsylvania institution. They were joined at the head and shared around 30% of their brain matter. This made separation quite difficult, especially considering the lack of medical advancements of the time.

After they were released from the institution, George explored his talent for singing and performed internationally under the stage name Reba Schappell (named after Reba McEntire). George found massive success and won Best New Country Artist at the L.A Music Awards.

On the other hand, Lori lived a quieter life and had a job doing laundry at a local hospital. Lori often worked around George’s busy schedule.

Lori and George continue to lead a perfectly normal life to this day.

5. Ladan and Laleh Bijani

Much like Lori and George, Ladan and Laleh were joined at the head. They shared both brain matter and a vital cranial artery. The conjoined twins were born in Iran in 1979. From the moment of their birth, the girls' lives were anything but ordinary.

After their birth, they were lost in the hospital after their doctor fled to the United States. They were raised by Dr. Alireza Safaian, who they stayed with even after reconnecting with their birth parents years later.

Ladan and Laleh were quite different. One sister pursued a career in law, while the other attained a career in journalism. One was incredibly shy, while the other was outgoing. Because of these differences, the twins desperately wanted to separate and opted for surgical separation despite the risks.

The surgery involved over 28 surgeons and 100 members of hospital staff. The surgery was incredibly complex, and there were complications. Unfortunately, the twins lost a large amount of blood and passed away shortly after.

Conclusion

Conjoined twins are a medical rarity. Throughout history, there are examples of extraordinary conjoined twins. The most famous conjoined twins may be Abby and Brittany Hensel, but they are certainly not alone.

These unique siblings have tackled every challenge life has thrown at them. Their stories are truly inspirational and should not be forgotten.

For more inspiring stories about the amazing humans who have made their mark in our world, visit Phreeque.com.