Abby and Brittany Hensel, the conjoined twins who first gained national attention when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996, have reached a major life milestone: Abby is married.
The Hensel twins later starred in the feel-good TLC reality series “Abby and Brittany,” which showcased their daily lives. From driving to traveling across Europe, the show provided a glimpse into their unique experiences. When the series ended after one season, Abby and Brittany had just graduated from college with degrees in education.
Abby, now 34 years old, is married to Josh Bowling, a nurse and United States Army veteran. The couple tied the knot in 2021, and they reside in their home state of Minnesota. Both sisters are fifth-grade teachers, sharing their passion for education.
Abby and Brittany are dicephalus conjoined twins, meaning they have two heads side by side on one torso. They share a bloodstream and all organs below the waist. Abby controls their right arm and leg, while Brittany controls the left. Their parents, Patty and Mike Hensel, decided against separation surgery at birth, deeming it too risky. Doctors had warned that there was little chance both would survive the operation.
Only about one in every 200,000 live births results in conjoined twins. Approximately 70% of conjoined twins are female, and most are stillborn. Abby and Brittany, however, defied the odds and continue to inspire with their resilience and determination.
