World’s oldest conjoined twins die
(WJW) – The world’s oldest living conjoined twins have passed away at the age of 62.
Lori and George Schappell passed away on Sunday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to their obituaries published by Leibensperger Funeral Homes.
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According to Guinness World Records, Lori and George (formerly named Dori) became the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders in 2007 when George came out as transgender.
Lori Schappell and George Schappell, Oldest Female Conjoined Twins (Photo by Jason Kempin/FilmMagic) *** Local Caption *** FILE – Conjoined 40-year-old twins George, left, and Lori Schappell are seen in their Reading, Pa., home, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002. Lori and George Schappell, who pursued separate careers, interests and relationships during lives that defied medical expectations, died April 7, 2024, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They were 62. (AP Photo/Brad C. Bower, File) FILE – In this July 8, 2003 photo, Lori, left, and George Schappell, conjoined twins, are photographed in their Reading, Pa., apartment. Lori and George Schappell, who pursued separate careers, interests and relationships during lives that defied medical expectations, died April 7, 2024, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They were 62. (John A. Secoges/Reading Eagle via AP, File)
According to their obituaries, they were the oldest living conjoined twins in the world as of 2022.
According to their obituaries, it was very important to the twins to live as independently as possible, which was documented in a 1997 documentary.
“Over the years, they have appeared in many documentaries and talk shows; as well as appearing in an episode of Nip/Tuck,” their obituaries read. “Since the age of 24, they have maintained their own residence and have traveled extensively.”
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George had a career as a country singer while Lori was a trophy-winning bowler.
According to Guinness World Records, Lori and George were joined at the head and had partially fused skulls, which shared vital blood vessels and 30% of their brains.
George said in a 1997 documentary, “Would we be separated? Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?” when asked if they would ever be separated.
Click here to read Lori’s obituary. Click here to read George’s obituary.
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