Lori and George Schappell, recognized as the world’s oldest living conjoined twins, have died at the age of 62 years and 202 days.
The twins died on April 7, as confirmed by obituaries from Leibensperger Funeral Homes in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Born in Pennsylvania on September 18, 1961, the Schappells were notable not just for their longevity but also for their unique circumstances.
They were craniopagus twins, joined at the head with partially fused skulls, sharing vital blood vessels and 30% of their brain tissue—a condition that represents only 2-6% of conjoined twin cases.
Initially recognized as the oldest female conjoined twins, their distinction changed after George Schappell’s gender transition in 2007, marking them as the first set of same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders.
Despite their physical connection, Lori and George led distinctly different personal lives. Lori was mobile and worked in a hospital, while George, who suffered from spina bifida, pursued a career in country music, performing even internationally.
Their lives were not only unique but also public; they featured in various documentaries and appeared on television, including a guest appearance on the show “Nip/Tuck” in 2004. In their later years, they resided independently in an apartment designed for the elderly in Reading, Pennsylvania.
