The world’s oldest conjoined twins have died.
Lori and George Schappell lived 62 years and 202 days before they died on 7 April, according to an obituary posted online by Leibensperger Funeral Homes.
The pair held the title of the world’s oldest living conjoined twins since 2022.
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Guinness World Records reported that the pair, born in 1961 in Pennsylvania, had partially fused skulls and shared vital blood vessels as well as 30 percent of their brain.
The twins proved doctors wrong as they defied all medical predictions that they would not make it past the age of 30.
The Schappells died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Their cause of death is undisclosed.
Despite sharing part of their brain and being attached at the head, they managed to live their own lives.
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In 2007, George came out as a trans man after keeping it from everyone (including his sister) for decades. “I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy," he told The Sun.
“I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden – even from Lori – for many years.”
He added: “It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn’t want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted."
The pair had pretty different hobbies and interests too as Lori won trophies for tenpin bowling, while George had a career as a country singer.
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During the 90s, Lori spent several years working at a hospital laundry while arranging her schedule around her brother’s gigs – travelling the world to perform.
The tenpin bowler was able-bodied, but her twin had spina bfida and could not walk, he sat in a wheelchair style stool which Lori pushed around.
The pair lived on their own in a two-bedroom apartment where they each had their own room.
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They’d alternate nights spent in each one and took turns practicing their hobbies, during which time the other twin would effectively ‘zone out’.
Lori and George would also shower separately, using the shower curtain as a barrier while one washed and the other stood outside.
Their obituaries add that they are survived by their dad, six siblings, several nieces and nephews, two aunts and an uncle, and an extended family of friends.
In a 1997 documentary, the twins were asked if they’d ever be separated.
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George said: “Would we be separated? Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?”
Featured Image Credit: Jason Kempin/FilmMagicTopics: World News, US News