Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel, now 34, continue to captivate the world with their extraordinary lives. The sisters, who first made headlines in 1996 after appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” have recently found themselves back in the spotlight following Abby’s marriage to Josh Bowling, a nurse and United States Army veteran. Their wedding, which took place in 2021, was kept private until recently when the couple decided to share moments from their special day on TikTok, @abbyandbrittanyhensel.
The twins, born with the rare condition of dicephalus conjoined twinning, share a single body with two heads but have separate hearts, brains, and lungs. Despite their unique challenges, Abby and Brittany have navigated life with grace, earning teaching degrees and co-teaching fifth grade in Minnesota. “Math and science is kind of my strong point,” Abby shared on their 2012 TLC reality show, “Abby & Brittany,” while Brittany added, “Where Brittany is more focused on the language arts, reading—stuff like that.”
“We are totally different people,” Brittany explained in the documentary “Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body,” highlighting their individuality despite their physical connection. This sentiment is echoed by their father, Mike Hensel, who in a 2001 interview with Time, pondered the future possibilities for his daughters, including marriage, noting, “They’re good-looking girls. They’re witty. They’ve got everything going for them, except… they’re together.”
Abby’s marriage to Bowling, who has an 8-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, marks a new chapter in their lives. A video captured by wedding guest Heidi Bowling shows the couple dancing and sharing a kiss.. The twins’ approach to life, emphasizing cooperation and mutual respect, has allowed them to live fully. “When it comes to decisions, there are compromises we have to make,” Abby stated. “We take turns. We want to work it so each of us is happy and we find a happy medium.”
