What to Know About Conjoined Twins Abby Hensel & Brittany Hensel

You might have come across headlines featuring the Hensel twins, specifically Abby and Brittany. However, you may wonder what’s so special about them to make headlines. Here’s the answer:

The Hensel twins are conjoined twins who were born in 1990. What sets them apart is that they share one body but have separate organs and functions. This unique condition has made them a subject of fascination for many, and their lives have been documented in several media outlets over the years. Currently, they work together as school teachers in Minnesota, USA.

Indeed, despite the TLC show Abby & Brittany wrapping up over a decade ago, there continues to be great interest among fans about the remarkable conjoined twins they followed. These twins are known for being among the longest-living dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins ever recorded.

Following Abby’s marriage to Josh Bowling in 2021, the sisters found themselves back in the limelight once again. More recently, the twins made a rare public appearance with an adorable baby by their side. In photos published by TMZ, the sisters (with Abby on the left and Brittany on the right) sported a black tank top and khaki shorts while securing a car seat in their Tesla.

Despite the uncertainty about who the baby belongs to, these 34-year-olds have consistently had plans to start a family.

In the year 2006, during ‘Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16’, Brittany expressed that they would become mothers, yet they had not contemplated the logistics of motherhood at that time.

But they will make it work. It’s what they’ve been doing since birth. 

Abby and Brittany, who often speak together, expressed in their 2007 documentary Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body, that they wouldn’t want to be separated. This is because they enjoy the abilities they have – such as playing softball, meeting new people, and running.

In a clear explanation, Brittany emphasized that despite appearances, they were distinct individuals. She said, “In reality, we are two separate entities.” Furthermore, she explained their dynamic as, “We often negotiate with each other like, ‘If you handle this task, I’ll take care of that one.’ Or we alternately carry out tasks.

Although each member of the Minnesota duo possesses an individual heart, lungs, stomach, and a kidney, they share a common colon, rectum, reproductive organs, and bladder. Notably, they maintain distinct body temperatures.

Abby expressed on the 2012 show “Abby & Brittany,” “It’s really strange because I get extremely hot much quicker than usual, and there’s a clear red line running down my legs – it’s as if they are sweating profusely. It’s uncomfortable, yet she seems perfectly fine.

For a deeper dive inside their world, keep reading…

Abby and Brittany, two sisters, were born on March 7, 1990. Their mother, Patty Hensel, revealed in a 2007 documentary titled “Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body,” that during scans prior to their birth, she was only anticipating one baby. At the time of birth, they had three arms but later had one non-functional arm removed.

Patty and her spouse, Mike Hensel, learned that Abby and Brittany had an incredibly close bond since infancy. Although Patty suggested that separation might have become feasible as the girls grew older, their parents opted to keep them conjoined because they could lead a fulfilling, healthy life together.

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

In a 2007 documentary, Abby and Brittany shared that they frequently predict each other’s responses when crafting emails or online messages, almost as if they were a single entity. However, they refer to themselves as separate individuals only when they have differing opinions, at which point they use phrases like “Abby says” or “Brittany says.

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

Abby and Brittany often understand that people are curious about their lives, but they sometimes feel annoyed by the response they encounter in public, particularly when strangers take their photos without asking for permission first.

Abby expressed in 2007 that she strongly dislikes it when someone takes photos of her, to the point where she might react strongly and make the person feel uncomfortable as a result.

Moreover, just like many parents, doctors had an interest in tracking the health and development of Mike and Patty Hensel’s daughters. However, the Hensels preferred to keep non-essential medical tests to a minimum for their girls. Brittany and Abby also expressed dislike for visiting the doctor’s office during that period.

The family’s doctor, Joy Westerdahl, stated in 2007 that although they are special cases, the family prefers to consider them as ordinary individuals. To respect the family’s wishes, she needs to maintain a certain distance.

Following her wedding with veteran nurse Josh Bowling, Abby welcomed another loved one into her life – his 8-year-old daughter Isabella. Their union was formalized on November 13, 2021. Although the news took the public by surprise, it had long been a dream of Abby and Brittany to expand their family.

In the year 2006, during ‘Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16’, Brittany expressed that they would become mothers. She mentioned that they hadn’t figured out the details of motherhood just yet.

In their early thirties, Abby and Brittany have continued to keep a low profile since the airing of their show, Abby & Brittany, back in 2012. This one-season reality program offered a glimpse into their lives as they finished college and stepped into adulthood.

After graduating college, Abby and Brittany started teaching jobs almost immediately. Upon being employed, they disclosed that they weren’t on a regular salary, instead receiving individual contracts and splitting their earnings between them.

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

On an episode of Abby & Brittany, Abby pointed out that her strengths lie in math and science. In contrast, Brittany’s focus is primarily on language arts and reading-related activities.

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2025-08-16 17:17