Conjoined Twins Abby and Brittany Hensel Step Out for Rare Outing

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Abby Hensel and Brittany Hensel spent the day with a special little companion.

The conjoined twins stepped out in Arden Hills, Minn., Aug. 14 and were joined by an adorable baby.

In images obtained by TMZ, the former contestants of Abby & Brittany were spotted wearing a black tank top and khaki shorts. They were seen placing a baby, securely fastened in a car seat, into the back of a Tesla car. Although they appeared careful when putting the child in the vehicle, it’s not certain if the infant is related to either Brittany or Abby. Notably, Abby got married to husband Josh Bowling last year, generating headlines in 2021.

TopMob News has reached out to Abby, Brittany and Josh for comment but has not yet heard back.

Despite keeping relatively private lives since their 2012 TLC show, Abby and Brittany have occasionally shared glimpses of their experiences as conjoined twins, such as their unique methods of driving a vehicle.

They shared that they have two driver’s licenses, and when they obtained each one, they had to take the test and both passed successfully. On the show, Brittany added that while driving, Abby manages the gas and brakes, but they both control the steering wheel, and she is responsible for operating the turn signals.

In addition to demonstrating excellent teamwork when they drive, these reality TV celebrities offered insights last year about how their bodies can work simultaneously and individually.

The video by molecular biologist Hashem Al-Ghaili on TikTok in December explains that Abby and Brittany Hensel have an extraordinary body structure. Their bodies consist of both shared and separate systems. Each twin has their own unique upper body systems, with two heads, two brains, two spinal cords, and two hearts. However, their hearts are connected to a common circulatory system.

While Abby, situated on the right, and Brittany, located on the left, have some shared bodily systems like circulatory ones, at the age of 35, these two sisters’ brains and spinal cords operate separately.

Regardless of their separation, their actions work seamlessly together,” said the narrator. “For tasks involving both hands, like holding items, typing, or driving a vehicle, it’s all about consistent collaboration and messaging between them.

Read on to learn more about Abby and Brittany’s lives. 

In a 2007 documentary titled “Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body,” Patty Hensel revealed that when she gave birth to twins Abby and Brittany on March 7, 1990, she was initially led to believe she would have only one baby due to scans. At birth, the girls were born with three arms, but they later had one non-functional arm removed.

Patty and her spouse, Mike Hensel, learned that Abby and Brittany had been inseparable since infancy. As Patty pointed out, it might have been feasible for them to be separated as they grew older, but their parents opted to keep them joined because they could lead a complete, healthy life together.

Abby and Brittany expressed in the 2007 documentary that they are grateful for not being separated as it allows them to enjoy activities like playing softball, meeting new people, and running.

In a 2007 documentary, Abby and Brittany shared that they frequently guess what the other will write when composing emails or messages online. They usually present themselves as a single entity unless there’s a disagreement, at which point they distinguish by saying “Abby thinks” or “Brittany thinks.

They also now share singular social media accounts, which are private and mostly inactive. 

Abby and Brittany have often acknowledged the interest that others show in their lives, but they also shared feelings of annoyance when faced with unwanted attention in public, particularly instances where strangers take their pictures without consent.

In Abby’s words from 2007, “I strongly dislike it when someone takes my picture without my consent. It makes me uncomfortable, and I might even react strongly to the point of making them feel awkward.

Moreover, as their children, Brittany and Abby were spared from excessive medical examinations since Mike and Patty Hensel preferred not to subject them to unnecessary tests. Both girls shared a dislike for visiting the doctor’s office during those years.

The family’s physician, Joy Westerdahl, stated in 2007 that although they are exceptional, the family prefers to view them as ordinary individuals. She added that due to the family’s desire, she needs to be cautious and avoid getting overly involved.

After getting married to Josh Bowling, a nurse and veteran, Abby acquired an additional family member – his 8-year-old daughter Isabella. The pair officially exchanged vows on November 13, 2021. Although the news took the public by surprise, Abby and Brittany had long nurtured aspirations of starting a family together.

In the year 2006, during the television show “Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16”, Brittany expressed that they would become mothers. She added that they hadn’t considered the practicalities of motherhood at that point in time.

In their early thirties, Abby and Brittany have continued to keep their personal lives private ever since their reality show “Abby & Brittany” aired back in 2012. This one-season series offered a glimpse into the young women’s lives as they completed college and ventured into adulthood.

After finishing college, Abby and Brittany quickly started teaching jobs. Upon being employed, they mentioned they wouldn’t be on a regular salary, instead receiving individual contracts, with their earnings divided between them.

They currently teach fifth grade together at an elementary school in Minnesota. 

In one of the episodes of Abby & Brittany, I shared that my forte lies in the realms of math and science. While Brittany’s passion is centered around language arts, literature, and similar subjects.

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2025-08-16 03:48