Oldest living conjoined twins pass away at 62
MANILA, Philippines — Lori and George Schappell, the world's oldest living conjoined twins, have passed away aged 62.
Leibensperger Funeral Homes confirmed the twins died earlier this month in Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
When the twins were born in 1962, their skulls were partially fused and had to share vital blood vessels and 30% of their brains (specifically the frontal and parietal lobes).
George had spina bifida (deformed spine) and couldn't walk, so he sat in a wheelchair-type stool that the able-bodied Lori pushed around.
Guinness World Records are saddened to learn of the passing of Lori and George Schappell, the world's oldest conjoined twins.
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) April 12, 2024
George enjoyed a successful career as a country singer, whilst Lori was a trophy-winning ten-pin bowler.
Read more about their lives below ????
Medical professionals said the twins wouldn't live past 30 years old, however, they became the oldest conjoined twins ever in 2015 when they beat the record of 53-year-olds Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova.
Each managed their own lives since turning 24: Lori worked at a hospital laundry and was a trophy-winning 10-pin bowler, while George toured the world as a country singer.
They took turns spending the night in each other's bedroom and practicing separate hobbies, even showering separately with a curtain serving as a barrier.
"Would we be separated? Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?" George said in a 1997 documentary.
Lori and George are survived by their father and six siblings, as well as several extended family and friends.
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