World’s oldest conjoined twins die at 62
The world’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George have reportedly died at the age of 62.
Lori and her brother, George Schappell, recognized as the world’s oldest conjoined twins, have been confirmed deceased at the age of 62.
Lori and George were born with partially fused skulls and sharing 30 percent of their brains, surpassed medical expectations by living beyond the age of 30.
Lori and George passed away on Sunday, April 7, in a Pennsylvania hospital, with the exact cause of their demise undisclosed, as stated in their online obituaries published by Leibensperger Funeral Homes.
Despite their medical condition, which included partially fused skulls and a shared brain portion, Lori maintained her physical abilities while George, afflicted with spina bifida, relied on a wheelchair, which Lori often pushed.
They gained recognition as the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify with different genders after George publicly announced his transgender identity in 2007, opting to present as a man.
George succeeded as a country singer, while Lori pursued her passion for ten-pin bowling, even achieving accolades in the sport. In the 1990s, Lori arranged her work schedule at a hospital laundry to accommodate George’s music commitments. Their shared success took them on international trips, including visits to Germany and Japan, documented by Guinness World Records.
Their journey gained media attention when George, formerly known as Dori, embraced his transgender identity. In 2007, George transitioned and adopted the name George, departing from the rhyming names they had initially chosen.
Living independently in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania, the twins maintained separate interests, alternating between their hobbies.
They devised a system for personal space, taking turns sleeping in each other’s rooms and showering separately, utilizing a shower curtain as a partition.
Guinness World Records acknowledged their passing, expressing sadness over the loss of the oldest living conjoined twins and the oldest female conjoined twins in history, Lori and George Schappell.