The world’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, have passed away at the age of 62, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records (GWR).
Lori and George were not only the oldest female conjoined twins on record, but they also set another milestone as the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders when George came out as transgender.
They were born in Pennsylvania, USA on September 18, 1961. The twins had partially fused skulls, shared blood vessels, and 30% of their brains, specifically the frontal and parietal lobes.
Lori had a fully functioning body, while George had spina bifida and relied on a wheelchair-like stool for mobility. George pursued a successful career as a country singer, touring around the world, while Lori excelled in tenpin bowling and also worked at a hospital during breaks from George’s concerts.
The twins strived for independence and had a two-bedroom apartment. They took turns sleeping in each room and showered separately, using a shower curtain as a dividing barrier.
In a 1997 documentary, they were asked if they ever considered separation, to which George firmly responded, “Would we be separated? Absolutely not. My belief is: Why change something that isn’t broken?”
The twins passed away at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from undisclosed causes. They left behind a remarkable legacy, breaking records and inspiring others with their unique journey.
