“After rising to fame on a reality TV series alongside her conjoined twin, an American teacher is now embarking on the journey of motherhood. Abby Hensel, 34, hailing from Minnesota, quietly married Josh Bowling, 33, a nurse and army veteran, three years ago in 2021, as revealed by public records obtained by TODAY. Abby, along with her sister Brittany, who are among the rare dicephalus twins to have survived infancy, captured global attention 28 years ago after appearing on Oprah.”
In a documentary captured during their teenage years, the twins’ mother expressed their desire to have children someday, stating, “That is probably something that could work because those organs do work for them.”
Brittany enthusiastically affirmed, “Yeah, we’re going to be moms.”
Abby echoed the sentiment, adding, “Yeah, we are going to be moms one day, but we don’t want to talk about how it’s going to work yet.”
Despite being able to eat, write, and perform tasks independently, the twins share a single body, with all their organs below the waist, including the intestine, bladder, and reproductive organs.
While they can conceive a child conventionally, the legal implications regarding the child’s parentage remain uncertain.
Abby Hensel, now 34 years old (pictured on the left), tied the knot with nurse and former US veteran Josh Bowling (pictured on the right) in 2021. The question remains: will she fulfill her dream of having children?
Abby, pictured on the right, gracefully dances with her groom on their wedding day, adorned in a breathtaking white lace gown.
In a subsequent interview, Brittany reaffirmed their aspiration to start their own families, expressing, “The entire world doesn’t need to know about our relationships, activities, or plans. But trust me, we are distinct individuals.” Abby chimed in, “Yes, we do envision becoming mothers one day, but we’re not ready to discuss the logistics just yet.”
While their namesake TLC program documented significant milestones like their high school graduation and job searches, Abby’s relationship with Josh, a father of one, has remained largely private until now. Over the past decade, the twins have opted for a quieter life away from the limelight.
Despite enduring persistent curiosity about their personal lives, the twins have consistently rebuffed speculation. A decade ago, they dismissed rumors of Brittany’s engagement as a mere ‘dumb joke.’ However, even during their teenage years, they openly expressed their desire to start families.
“People have been intrigued by us since birth, for obvious reasons,” the twins stated in the inaugural episode of their eight-part series, as reported by ABC News. “But our parents never allowed us to use that as an excuse. We were raised to believe we could achieve anything we set our minds to.”
In a 2001 interview with Time magazine, the twins’ father, Mike, disclosed that his daughters had already inquired about finding life partners. He reasoned that since other conjoined twins have married, why not them? “They’re attractive and witty. They have everything going for them, except they’re inseparable,” he remarked.
Is It Possible for Conjoined Twins to Have Children? Exploring Abbey and Britney’s Potential as Only the Second Set in History to Welcome a Child
Conjoined twins are exceedingly rare, occurring in less than one in 100,000 births. Among them, female conjoined twins are even scarcer, and many do not survive infancy.
There is only one documented case where pregnancy and successful delivery were achieved by the conjoined twins themselves, as noted by the US National Library of Medicine. Rosa and Josepha Blažek, born in Skrejšov, Bohemia in 1878, were joined at the posterior. In 1909, Rosa gave birth to a son.
In a recent development, a formerly conjoined twin gave birth after being surgically separated from her sister over two decades ago. Charity Lincoln Gutierrez-Vazquez, along with her twin sister Kathleen, were joined from the breastbone to the pelvis at birth in 2000. The sisters, each possessing one leg, shared several internal organs and a third fused leg.
At the age of seven months, they underwent a successful separation surgery performed by a team of nearly 30 medical professionals at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, enduring a risky 31-hour procedure.
Twenty-one years later, Charity welcomed her daughter, Alora, via cesarean section at the same hospital where she and her sister were separated.
A recent clip shared on their TikTok account @abbyandbrittanyhensel unveiled glimpses of Abby’s wedding day, while a picture of the joyful couple was featured on a Facebook account titled Britt And Abby.
The ceremony, which took place in 2021 according to records, saw the twins adorned in a sleeveless wedding gown with intricate lace detailing, complemented by the groom’s grey suit.
A video, possibly taken by a guest and circulated on social media, captured the twins and the groom enjoying a dance during the festivities. Another clip showcased Josh’s daughter, donning a floral bridesmaid’s dress, walking down the aisle while holding a sign reading: ‘Daddy… Here Comes Your Bride’.
It’s probable that the father-of-one, who works with hospice patients, resides with the twins, as glimpsed on Josh’s Facebook page portraying family outings – including hikes in nature, indulging in ice cream, and dressing up for Halloween with his young daughter.
Raised Christian by their parents – a nurse and a carpenter – Abby and Brittany, who possess their own birth certificates and passports, are currently both fifth-grade math teachers at an elementary school in New Brighton, Minnesota, their hometown.
Presenting Abby (depicted on the left), radiating elegance in a white floor-length gown on her wedding day.
Abby and her sister Brittany (pictured during their childhood), one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy, rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show which chronicled their major life events, including their high school graduation and job hunting
As depicted in childhood photos, the duo shares a single body, with all their organs, including the intestine, bladder, and reproductive organs, being shared from the waist down.
Abby (seen on the left) and Brittany made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996, captivating audiences with their unique story.
“Obviously, right away, we understand that we are going to get one salary because we’re doing the job of one person,” Abby previously remarked.
“One can be teaching and one can be monitoring and answering questions,” added Brittany. “So in that sense, we can do more than one person.” The twins also hold two teaching licenses.
The only other set of twins known to be living with a similar condition are brothers Ayşe and Sema Tanrıkulu, born in Turkey in 2000.
Abby and Brittany initially gained worldwide attention in 1996 when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and graced the cover of Life Magazine.
Following their brief moment in the limelight, the twins retreated to a quiet, ordinary life with their family, avoiding the media spotlight until they agreed to participate in a documentary for TLC when they turned 16.
Born on March 7, 1990, Abby and Brittany surprised doctors who initially warned their parents, Patty and Mike, that they were unlikely to survive the night. However, the twins defied all odds.
They also amazed doctors with their remarkable coordination while playing the piano and engaging in sports. Each twin controls one side of the body, with Abby managing the right side and Brittany the left, according to the BBC.
“When it comes to decisions, there are compromises we have to make,” Abby explained regarding their coordination on their show. “We take turns. We want to work it so each of us is happy and we find a happy medium.”
Throughout their upbringing, they enjoyed various sports such as bowling, volleyball, cycling, softball, and swimming.
According to TODAY, the twins are currently both fifth-grade teachers residing in Minnesota, where they were born and raised by their parents—a nurse and a carpenter.
Remarkably, on their 16th birthday, they passed their driving test, showcasing an extraordinary display of teamwork as each twin utilized one arm to control the steering wheel.
Reflecting on this milestone, their mother Patty, a registered nurse, acknowledged the potential challenges it could pose. She mused, “I don’t know what would happen if they got pulled over for speeding. Would they each get a ticket or just Abby because it’s her foot on the accelerator?”
Despite sharing many organs, the twins experience separate hunger, urges to urinate, and sleep cycles. Their nervous systems are also distinct, as outlined by Time magazine. For instance, if Abby is tickled on her side, Brittany cannot feel it, except along a narrow part on their back where they seem to share sensation.
Their parents, Patty and Mike, never entertained the idea of having the twins separated due to the risk of both potentially perishing or being left with severe disabilities that would compromise their quality of life.
Throughout their upbringing, the twins exhibited distinct personalities and preferences. Abigail, described as feisty and stubborn, favored orange juice for breakfast, whereas Brittany, known as the family joker, preferred milk.
Reflecting on their differences, Brittany, who, along with her sibling, graduated from Bethel University in Minnesota, emphasized, “Believe me, we are totally different people.”
The first episode of their reality show captures the girls graduating from Bethel University in Minnesota.
The twins also differ in height, with Abby standing at 5 feet 2 inches and her sister at 4 feet 10 inches. Brittany often has to stand on tiptoe to maintain their balance.
Despite their physical differences, the pair share a deep connection, often completing each other’s sentences. However, their fashion preferences diverge. In 2013, Abby remarked, “We definitely have different styles. Brittany leans towards neutrals and pearls, whereas I prefer more fun, bright, and colorful outfits.”
Patty was unaware she was carrying twins until their birth at the local hospital where she worked. “The pediatrician said my babies were together but they had two heads,” she recalled in 2006, describing it as a blunt but accurate assessment. “From the first time we saw them, we thought they were beautiful. I kissed Abigail and then Brittany and gave them a hug. It’s like that every time I pick them up from school—two kisses and one hug for the most beautiful children in the world.”
Both Mike and Patty’s families have lived in a small Midwestern farming community of 300 people for generations. It is here where they have raised the twins, along with their younger brother Dakota and sister Morgan, away from the media spotlight.
In their show (as depicted), the twins showcased remarkable coordination, utilizing one arm each to accomplish tasks such as playing the piano and engaging in sports.
On their 16th birthday, the twins successfully passed their driving test, each using one arm to control the steering wheel.
Their mother Patty (pictured with them side by side) encouraged her daughters to nurture their individuality.
The twins are depicted preparing for their 22nd birthday celebration.
During infancy, the twins underwent surgery to remove a third undeveloped arm from their chest. At the age of 12, they also underwent a surgical procedure to correct scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and expand their chest cavity to prevent potential breathing difficulties in the future.
They received their education at a private church school, shielded from the prying eyes of strangers. However, when the family ventured beyond their tight-knit community, they occasionally faced intrusive curiosity.
Patty recounted an incident at a swimming pool where she overheard a child asking their mother if she had seen the “little girl with two heads.” Patty addressed such situations with Abby and Brittany, encouraging them to handle inquiries by emphasizing their individuality. When asked if they had two heads, the twins responded that they each have their own head, reinforcing their distinct identities.
Although reports indicate that the twins discussed separation during childhood, it was only briefly mentioned when Abigail felt restless while Brittany was bedridden with pneumonia.
In the 2003 documentary “Joined for Life,” their mother Patty mentioned that her daughters (depicted) expressed interest in having children in the future.
Previous reports suggest that the twins (pictured) discussed separation only once during childhood. This occurred when Abigail grew bored and restless while Brittany was confined to bed due to pneumonia.
She initially entertained the idea of being separated from her sister, but when Brittany started to cry, Abigail reassured her, emphasizing that they would always be together.
In the 2003 documentary “Joined for Life,” their mother Patty shared that her daughters expressed an interest in having children in the future. Patty explained, “That is probably something that could work because those organs do work for them.”
Brittany enthusiastically chimed in, “Yeah, we’re going to be moms. We haven’t thought about how being moms is going to work yet. But we’re just 16 — we don’t need to think about that right now.”
The twins, who have intrigued the medical world since birth due to the complexities of their condition, demonstrate remarkable cohesion with one another. They can effortlessly collaborate on tasks such as composing emails and often complete each other’s sentences without much verbal communication.
Despite their close bond, the twins have differing fashion tastes. Abby remarked in 2013, “We definitely have different styles. Brittany’s a lot more into neutrals and pearls and stuff like that, whereas I prefer it to be more fun, bright, and colorful.” They have their clothes tailored to fit their unique physique.
Patty was unaware she was carrying twins until their birth at the local hospital where she worked. To address inquiries from curious children, Patty encouraged her daughters to emphasize their individuality, explaining that each has her own head.
According to reports, the twins discussed separation only once during childhood when Abigail became restless while Brittany was bedridden with pneumonia. Despite Abigail’s initial suggestion of separation, she quickly reassured Brittany, affirming their unbreakable bond.
Discussing her daughters’ resilience, Patty added, “They never give up. They keep trying. Anything they want to do, they go out and do it.”
The twins have also expressed their discomfort with people taking photographs of them while on vacation with their family. “We absolutely hate when people take pictures of us,” Abby stated. However, they appreciate when people ask questions rather than intrusively taking photos.
Although the twins consider Minnesota home, they haven’t ruled out the possibility of relocating to London, a city they adore. They have studied abroad in London twice, even teaching at a Maidenhead school during their training, as documented in the 2012 film “Abby and Brittany: College and Beyond.”
Exploring the Remarkable Journey of Conjoined Twins Abby and Brittany Hensel: Sisters Defying Odds, Mastering Driving, Embracing Stardom, and Thriving as Educators – Unveiling Abby’s Secret Wedding in 2021
Only one set of twins in every 40,000 is born connected in some way to each other, and only 1 percent of those survive beyond the first year. Despite these daunting statistics, Abby and Brittany have defied the odds and forged a fulfilling life marked by remarkable achievements. Here, FEMAIL offers a glimpse into the extraordinary journey of conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel.
The pair (pictured as children) share a single body, and from the waist down, all their organs, including the intestine, bladder and reproductive organs, are shared
During their upbringing, the twins exhibited distinct personalities and preferences. Abigail, characterized as feisty and stubborn, favored orange juice for breakfast, whereas Brittany, known as the family joker, preferred milk.
They also impressed doctors with their remarkable coordination while playing the piano, with Abigail handling the right-hand parts and Brittany the left. Their interests extended to sports like bowling, volleyball, cycling, softball, and swimming.
In demonstrations of their individuality, it was not uncommon for the twins to be seen wearing specially made tops with two different necklines, reflecting their unique tastes, along with leggings featuring contrasting colors on each leg and different shoes on each foot.
Reflecting on their unusual circumstances, their mother Patty, a registered nurse, contemplated potential challenges. “I don’t know what would happen if they got pulled over for speeding. Would they each get a ticket or just Abby because it’s her foot on the accelerator?” she pondered.
However, Patty and Mike never entertained the idea of having the twins separated due to their fear that one or both might not survive the procedure or be left with severe disabilities that would compromise their quality of life, preventing them from enjoying the activities they love. They feared that the twins would each have only one arm and one leg and be confined to a wheelchair.
Patty was unaware that she was carrying twins until she gave birth at the local hospital where she worked. Recalling the moment, she shared, “The pediatrician said my babies were together but they had two heads.” She described the diagnosis as blunt but entirely accurate. Despite the unexpected news, Patty and Mike found their daughters beautiful from the first moment they laid eyes on them.
“I kissed Abigail and then Brittany and gave them a hug,” Patty reminisced. “It’s like that every time I pick them up from school—two kisses and one hug for the most beautiful children in the world.”
ABBY TIES THE KNOT
According to TODAY, the twins, who hail from Minnesota, are now both fifth-grade teachers, having been raised in the same state by their parents—a nurse and a carpenter.
During Abby and Brittany’s childhood, their father Mike expressed certainty that the girls would eventually marry.
Public records obtained by TODAY revealed that Abby Hensel, now 34 years old, tied the knot with Josh Bowling, a nurse and army veteran, in 2021.
Although Abby’s relationship with Josh, who is a father-of-one, had remained relatively discreet until now, recent posts on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook showcased glimpses of Abby’s wedding day. The ceremony, which took place in 2021, featured Abby and Brittany in sleeveless wedding dresses with lace trim detailing, while the groom opted for a grey suit.
Videos shared on social media captured heartwarming moments from the celebration, including a dance shared by the twins and the groom, as well as Josh’s daughter serving as a bridesmaid, holding a sign that read, “Daddy… Here Comes Your Bride.”
It’s probable that Josh, who works with hospice patients, resides with the twins, as evidenced by his Facebook page, which depicts the family— including his young daughter—participating in various activities such as hiking, enjoying ice cream, and dressing up for Halloween.
