Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined twins from the United States, sharing a single body but with two separate hearts and minds. Abby controls the left side of the body, while Brittany manages the right. Despite their unique situation, they have faced life's challenges with resilience and courage.
Recently, they made headlines when it was revealed that Abby had married a former soldier and nurse, Josh Bowling, while her sister Brittany remains single. At age 34, the twins continue to live an inspiring life.
According to a report by Mirror UK, although Abby and Josh married back in 2021, the world only learned about it in 2024, sparking numerous conversations about their married life.
Concerns regarding Brittany's mental health and how she might be coping post her sister's marriage have also been raised, given that they share the same body with all organs below the waist being common to both. Let's delve into their lives more closely.
The twins, who skillfully drive a car together, have long harbored dreams of starting their own family one day. They were born with a medical condition that linked them in such a unique way that an operation to separate them was not feasible, due to the high risk of mortality it posed. Therefore, their parents chose to raise them unified.
They share intestines, a bladder, and reproductive organs, yet they have two distinct heads and personalities. Their life was notably chronicled in a series aired on the American network TLC, capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide.
When were the Hensel twins born?
The twins were born on March 7th, 1990, in Minnesota, USA. Their mother Patty, a nurse, and father Mike, a carpenter, initially were unaware they were expecting conjoined twins. A surgery was proposed to separate the twins but would have resulted in the survival of only one twin. Mike, in a 2001 interview with Time Magazine, poignantly asked, 'How could we choose between them?' This led to their decision not to proceed with the separation. The twins grew up in a rural setting, learning to run, play, and swim. They have a younger brother, Dakota, and sister, Morgan.
Source: aajtak
Abby has expressed that they have never desired separation, as it would mean giving up the shared activities they love. While they both speak at once at times, they maintain distinct personalities which sometimes leads to tension. Abby is more serious by nature, enjoys orange juice with breakfast, while Brittany prefers milk. In a 2006 interview, Brittany remarked, 'Believe us, we are completely different individuals.'
How the TV Show Made Them Global Sensations
The twins first appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in 1996 at six years old, leading to national attention and subsequent documentaries. Whenever they struggle to come to a consensus—since their interests often differ—they resort to flipping a coin. The viral fame resulted in a reality show offer in 2012.
Post-college at Bethel University, the twins are now educating children in school—and have shared that they receive a single salary for this job. Abby articulated in a 2013 interview their efforts to earn separate salaries given they possess distinct teaching degrees. Brittany has highlighted the synergistic way they work together — one teaches while the other maintains classroom order.
When Did Abby Get Married?
The twins prefer to keep their personal lives private. As Brittany explained in 2012, the world doesn't need to know the intricacies of their life. Abby added, 'Yes, we will be mothers one day, but we cannot yet divulge how.' News emerged recently of Abby's marriage to nurse and veteran Josh Bowling. The wedding took place in 2021, and they managed to keep it under wraps for three years. A video of the wedding went viral on TikTok, showing Abby and Brittany with Josh in wedding attire. Facebook photos have also shown the sisters enjoying ice cream and travel times with Josh.
