World's Oldest Conjoined Twins Dead at 62

The world's oldest conjoined twins died earlier this month after living more than twice as long as their doctors had expected.

Lori and George Schappell of Reading, Pennsylvania, were 62, according to online obituaries.

"When we were born, the doctors didn't think we'd make 30, but we proved them wrong," Lori Schappell told the Sun in 2011, when they turned 50. "We have learned so much in the last 50 years and will continue living life to the full."

The identical twins, born Sept. 18, 1961, had been the oldest living conjoined twins, according to Guinness World Records.

It's unclear who now holds the title, according to the Associated Press, which said the oldest ever were Ronnie and Donnie Galyon, who died at 68 in 2020.

The Schappells died April 7 of undisclosed causes at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to Leibensperger Funeral Homes, which has two locations in the state.

The obituary for George Schappell, who came out as transgender in 2007, used his birth name.

The Schappells were craniopagus twins, which means they shared a skull. But each had their own brain and they pursued separate careers, interests and relationships, according to AP.

The twins opted against risky separation surgery, with Lori Schappell telling AP in 2002: "You don't mess with what God made, even if it means you enjoy both children for a shorter time."

George Schappell also said, "Why fix what is not broken?"

Former TV talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael posted a photo of herself with the twins on X, formerly Twitter, calling their deaths "sad news."

"They were frequent guests on the show and always an inspiration for all. RIP," she wrote.

George Schappell had spina bifida, couldn't walk and was four inches shorter than his sister, who wheeled him around on a special stool.

Their obituaries said it was "very important" for each twin to "live as independently as possible," and Lori Schappell, who was engaged to be married before her fiance died in a car crash, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"When I went on dates, George would bring along books to read," she said.

In a 1997 documentary, they also said they had different bathing schedules and showered one at a time.

Lori Schappell worked for six years in a hospital laundry but gave up the job in 1996 so her sibling could become a country musician.

Survivors include their father and six siblings.

Tags

Conjoined twins, Deaths, Transgender, Pennsylvania