5 Surprising Facts About Married Conjoined Twins: Inside Abby Hensel's Private Life And The Ethics Of Shared Love
The Hensel Twins: A Biography and Marriage Profile
Abby and Brittany Hensel are perhaps the most famous conjoined twins in modern history, known for their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and their own TLC reality series, Abby & Brittany. Their lives offer a profound insight into navigating the world with a shared body but distinct personalities.
Abby and Brittany Hensel: Quick Facts
- Type of Conjoinment: Dicephalic Parapagus (two heads, two separate necks, one torso, two arms, two legs).
- Birth Date: March 7, 1990 (Currently 35 years old).
- Hometown: Carver County, Minnesota.
- Shared Organs: They share a bloodstream, liver, large intestine, and reproductive system. They have two hearts, two stomachs, four lungs (two of which are fused), and two spinal cords.
- Careers: Both sisters are fifth-grade teachers in their home state of Minnesota.
The Marriage of Abby Hensel and Josh Bowling
The marriage between Abby Hensel and former Army medic Josh Bowling occurred in 2021, but it was not widely reported until public records were obtained in March 2024. This private wedding instantly made them the most talked-about conjoined twin couple in the world. Abby and Josh's relationship, which includes Brittany as an ever-present third party, raises complex questions about intimacy, privacy, and the nature of matrimony.
The couple has maintained a fiercely private life since the news broke, occasionally sharing glimpses of their life on social media. They are reportedly living a quiet, normal life, focused on their teaching careers and family. The Hensel twins have always expressed a desire for a normal life, including the possibility of marriage and children, and Abby's union with Josh Bowling is a testament to their pursuit of these aspirations.
The Legal and Ethical Maze of Conjoined Twin Marriage
The concept of a conjoined twin marrying a single person presents a unique legal and ethical conundrum that has been debated for centuries. The core question is: Does the marriage constitute bigamy or polygamy, since a second, separate individual (the co-twin) is physically present?
The 'Two People, One Body' Legal Precedent
Historically, the legal system has consistently recognized conjoined twins as two distinct legal persons. This precedent was set as early as the 19th century with the famous Chang and Eng Bunker, the "Original Siamese Twins." Chang and Eng both married separate sisters, Adelaide and Sarah Yates, and had 21 children between them. The law, therefore, sees Abby Hensel and Brittany Hensel as two separate individuals, each with the right to marry.
In the case of Abby and Josh Bowling, the marriage is legally recognized as a union between two individuals: Abby Hensel and Josh Bowling. Brittany, while physically connected, is not legally a party to the marriage. This legal clarity allows the Hensels to pursue a private life without legal interference regarding their marital status.
Questions of Privacy and Intimacy
The most challenging aspect for the couple, and the most compelling for the public, is the question of intimacy and the shared life. The Hensel twins have always been protective of their privacy, particularly regarding their personal relationships. Their body is a complex entity: they control one side each, but they share all organs below the waist, including the reproductive system.
The twins have made it clear that they view themselves as separate people with different interests, goals, and even clothing choices. This fiercely guarded sense of individuality extends to their love lives. While the dynamics remain private, the existence of their marriage confirms that love and commitment can thrive even within the most physically intertwined circumstances, challenging traditional notions of what a marriage and a relationship should look like.
Other Conjoined Twin Relationships and Entities
The Hensel twins are not the only conjoined individuals whose romantic lives have captivated the public. Their story is part of a broader history of conjoined twins navigating the world of dating, relationships, and marriage.
Lori and George Schappell (Craniopagus Twins)
Lori and George Schappell, who recently passed away in April 2024 at the age of 62, were the oldest living craniopagus twins (joined at the head). Their lives are a powerful example of separate interests within a shared existence. George, who was a country music singer, dated, and Lori was engaged to be married. Although Lori's fiancé died in an accident before the wedding, the twins firmly believed in their right to separate romantic lives, even if their physical separation was impossible. Their story highlights the importance of recognizing the individual autonomy of each twin.
Carmen Andrade and Daniel McCormack (Omphalopagus Twins)
Another recent example is Carmen Andrade, one of the omphalopagus twins (joined at the torso) from Connecticut. Carmen announced in 2023 that she was in a relationship with Daniel McCormack. While they are not married, their relationship, which began in 2020, further normalizes the concept of conjoined twins seeking and finding romantic companionship. Carmen's twin, Lupita, identifies as asexual and is supportive of her sister's relationship, demonstrating the distinct personal lives that can exist within a single shared body.
The Enduring Legacy of Chang and Eng Bunker
Chang and Eng Bunker, born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811, were the original "Siamese Twins." Their marriage to two separate sisters and their subsequent large families proved that complex, multi-person relationships were possible. Their enduring legacy established the legal and social framework that allowed future generations of conjoined twins, including the Hensels, to pursue marriage and family life as two distinct individuals.
The stories of Abby and Brittany Hensel, Lori and George Schappell, and Carmen Andrade underscore a vital truth: conjoined twins are two separate people who deserve the same rights to love, privacy, and a fulfilling life as anyone else. The modern updates, particularly the news of Abby Hensel's marriage, serve as a powerful reminder that love, in all its forms, is defined by commitment and connection, not by physical boundaries.
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