World's Oldest Conjoined Twins Die At 62 Years Old

• Lori and George Schappell died while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in the hospital at the University of Pennsylvania
• The duo had different career paths, where George was a successful country singer and Lori excelled as a trophy-winning ten-pin bowler
• The twins, whose skulls were partially fused, shared 30% of their brains and crucial blood vessels

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The world's longest-living conjoined twins have passed away while under medical care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.

Lori and George Schappell drew their final breaths on April 7, succumbing to an undisclosed cause at the age of 62.

Their remarkable bond was not just familial but also physiological, as Guinness World Records noted their unique condition: partial fusion of skulls and a shared 30% of their brains and crucial blood vessels.

"Guinness World Records are saddened to learn of the deaths of the oldest living conjoined twins and oldest female conjoined twins ever, Lori and George Schappell.

They passed away on Sunday April 7 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania due to undisclosed causes, as per their obituaries published by Leibensperger Funeral Homes," said Guinness World Records.

How did Lori, George live different lifestyles?

In a fascinating divergence of paths, the twins led vastly different lives.

Initially identified as sharing the same gender, George (formerly Reba) revealed his transgender identity in 2007, embracing a new name and persona.

While George found success as a country singer, his sister Lori excelled as a trophy-winning ten-pin bowler.

Despite their close connection, their living arrangements showcased their individuality. In their two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania, they occupied separate rooms.

They navigated their distinct careers by taking turns in daily activities, including showering and pursuing their professional endeavours.

Their physical differences further highlighted their unique dynamic: while Lori was able-bodied, George grappled with spina bifida, confining him to a wheelchair-type stool that Lori compassionately manoeuvred.

Conjoined twins leading different career paths

In other news, another set of conjoined twins, Abby and Britanny who have lived up to 32 years, graduated with different university degrees.

The twins were conjoined at birth through a medical situation called dicephalic parapagus twinning.

However, they boast individual hearts, stomachs, spines, and lungs.

Despite the challenges posed by their condition, the duo have shown remarkable coordination while teaching math to fourth and fifth-grade students at an elementary school since 2013.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Lori and George. The longest-living conjoined twins have died.

Lori and George Schappell, world’s oldest conjoined twins, dead at 62

World's Oldest Conjoined Twins, Lori And George Schappell, Die At 62