The Kessler Twins, Alice and Ellen Kessler, represented West Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959. While they did not win, they placed 8th with the song Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh'n, translated as Tonight we want to go dancing. The twins were extremely popular singers, dancers, and actresses during the 1950s and 60s. Their fame spread throughout Europe, but primarily in Italy and Germany.Alice and Ellen were born in Nerchau, Gau Saxony, but managed to escape to East Germany with their parents when they were 16 years old. It was in Düsseldorf that they began to gain popularity. They even met Elvis Presley while he was on leave from the Army.The Kessler Twins died on the same day in November 2025, after they decided to choose medical aid in dying. According to the German newspaper, Bild, the twins said that they:"no longer wanted to live... they had chosen to end their lives together."The Kessler Twins' career highlightsThe Kessler twins decided to move from Germany to Italy a decade later to pursue acting. The twins agreed to model for the Italian edition of Playboy. Their appearance in the magazine set a record as the fastest-selling Italian issue of Playboy to date.Aside from their fame in Europe, the Kessler Twins were also popular in the US. They made their debut appearance on American television on the CBS variety show The Red Skelton Hour. They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, as well as on the film Sodom and Gomorrah (1963), as dancers.The Kessler Twins also made another magazine appearance. However, this time, it was for the American news magazine, LIFE.They moved back to Germany at the age of 50. They received several awards from both the German and Italian governments for promoting German-Italian cooperation in their works.Some of the awards they received include:Premio Capo CirceOrder of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1987Honorary citizens of Grimma in 2006Bavarian Order of Merit in 2025After their death, Radio Monte Carlo shared a tribute on Instagram, writing:"Alice and Ellen Kessler left together, just as they lived: inseparable. Born in 1936, they were an absolute symbol of European spectacle, including music, dance and television. In Italy, they became celebrities as the 'legs of the nation', icon of elegance and stage presence since the Fifties. A unique artistic couple, capable of leaving an indelible imprint on the collective imagination." View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe duo rose to fame as singers, dancers, and actresses across Germany, Italy, and beyond. Their careers spanned decades, marked by iconic performances, magazine features, and international fame.