Who Are Abby and Brittany Hensel? Get to Know the Conjoined Twins Living Life Their Way

Abby and Brittany Hensel aren’t just famous—they’re extraordinary. Born in 1990 in Minnesota, these sisters are one of the world’s only surviving pairs of dicephalic parapagus twins: two heads, one body, and a story that’s inspired millions.

Their journey is a testament to resilience, individuality, and the power of family. From childhood fame to adult achievements, Abby and Brittany have never let their unique condition hold them back. Here’s a closer look at how they’ve built a life filled with love, adventure, and success.

Born to Defy the Odds

Abby and Brittany share one body, but have two hearts, two sets of lungs, and two distinct personalities. Below the waist, they share all organs and a single bloodstream. When they were born, their parents, Mike and Patty, faced an impossible decision: doctors warned that separating the twins would almost certainly mean losing one—or both—of their daughters. The Hensels chose togetherness, and it’s a choice that shaped the sisters’ future.

Aside from a surgery to remove a small third arm after birth, Abby and Brittany haven’t needed major medical interventions. Instead, they’ve focused on living life to the fullest.

Childhood in the Spotlight

Their birth was headline news—there are only a handful of dicephalic parapagus twins who survive infancy. Abby and Brittany made their TV debut in 1996 on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” captivating audiences with their charm and positivity.

Over the years, they appeared in documentaries, news specials, and eventually starred in their own reality series, “Abby & Brittany,” which followed them through college, travels in Europe, and their first steps into adult life. The show ran for eight episodes in 2012, offering viewers an intimate look at their daily routines, dreams, and challenges.

Two Minds, One Dream: Becoming Teachers

After high school, Abby and Brittany attended Bethel University in Minnesota, earning degrees in education. Their talents are as unique as their personalities—Abby excels in math and science, while Brittany shines in language arts.

They chose to stay close to home, working as teachers in their local school district. Though they each hold a degree, they fill one position and split a single salary—an arrangement that reflects both their shared body and their shared commitment to helping kids learn.

Their students and colleagues praise them for their teamwork, warmth, and ability to inspire. Abby and Brittany prove daily that “different” doesn’t mean “less”—it can mean “more.”

Love, Family, and New Beginnings

The twins’ personal lives have always sparked curiosity, but they’ve kept most details private. In 2021, Abby married Army veteran Josh Bowling, becoming a stepmother to his daughter from a previous marriage. The wedding made headlines and raised questions about family, love, and how Abby and Brittany navigate relationships.

In August 2025, the twins were photographed in Minnesota carrying a newborn baby, sending the internet into a frenzy of speculation. Is the child Abby and Josh’s? Is Brittany a co-parent? The sisters and Josh have declined to comment, keeping their family life private—reminding everyone that, above all, they value respect and boundaries.

Living Life Their Way

Abby and Brittany have traveled the world, graduated college, built careers, and even worn a wedding dress. They’ve faced challenges with humor and grace, and have shown that sharing a body doesn’t mean sharing every dream or every thought.

Their story is one of triumph over adversity, but more importantly, it’s a story of living authentically. They’ve earned every achievement by working together, supporting each other, and refusing to let anyone define them.

Abby and Brittany Hensel: Two souls, one body, and a lifetime of proving that anything is possible.

Whether they’re teaching in Minnesota, traveling abroad, or starting a family, Abby and Brittany continue to inspire people everywhere to embrace their differences and chase their dreams.