Abby & Brittany Hensel, the famous conjoined twins: where are they now?

Abigail and Brittany Hensel turned into international sensations after their incredible life story was documented on the popular TLC show, Abby & Brittany. The conjoined twins were born with separate heads but a joined body, and managed to grow well into adulthood against all odds.

Despite living with an extremely rare medical condition, the Hensel twins decided to pave their own path and do everything in their power to lead a normal life. If you’ve ever wondered what their everyday lives look like, keep on reading.

Against All Odds

You don't exactly stumble upon conjoined twins every day. The chances of conjoined twins being born range between 1 in 49,000 to 1 in 189,000 births. Half of conjoined twins end up being stillborn, and third don’t make it past the first 24 hours.

That’s why it’s extremely rare to hear of twins with this rare condition who made it into adulthood. Incredibly, Abby and Brittany managed to beat the odds. They also happen to be dicephalic parapagus twins, which basically means they share the same body, but have two heads, and only one pair of arms and legs.

Shared Body

Like many twins and sisters in general, Abby and Brittany enjoy sharing a lot of things – both materialistic and not.

What makes them different from the majority of sister duos is the fact they also get to share one body. The top halves of their bodies are separate and each twin has their own spine, lungs and heart. However, their lower half is completely joined, meaning that the twins only have one set of legs, liver, large intestine, bladder and reproductive organs.

Team Effort

Carrying out even the most basic tasks used to be tricky for the Hensel twins. Since they happen to have one leg and one arm each, they need to be coordinated to perfection in order to carry out some of the most mundane tasks, like using a fork and knife.

But being born in one body didn’t stop Abby and Brittany from learning to walk, run and play at the same rate as other kids. These days, they don’t struggle with their daily tasks, and are able to coordinate their movements with ease.

Paperwork Nightmare

Despite the fact they share the same body, Abby and Brittany had to go through all the bureaucracy of adult life separately. Conjoined twins are still distinct individuals, with their own birth certificate and social security number. And the list doesn’t end there…

The Hensel twins also have separate passports, IDs and drivers licenses. Yep, you read it right! Turns out they had to take separate driver tests before being allowed to legally get behind the wheel.

Height Difference

Abby and Brittany may be genetically identical twins, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have the same height! Abby actually has a slightly longer leg than her sister. She stands at 5'2" (1.57 m), while Brittany's only 4'10" (1.47 m).

Their height difference does lead to a distinct gait in the walk, which sometimes looks like a limp, but it doesn’t stop them from swimming, running and riding a bike. The twins learned to live with it and it only gets in the way when they try to ride a Segway.

Media Exposure

TLC wasn’t the first network to give the twins exposure with their show Abby & Brittany. Their first media appearance was actually on the Oprah Winfrey show – the first time they had a taste of the limelight.

Dangerous Separation

Conjoined twins are often separated surgically after birth, and the parents of the Hensel twins were also asked if they wanted to go down this road as well. This complicated medical procedure would likely lead to the death of one or both twins, since they happen to share a number of vital organs.

Abby’s and Brittany’s parents didn’t want to risk it, and after their little girls grew up they knew they made the right choice. If they agreed to have them separated, the twins probably wouldn’t get to enjoy the high level of physical independence they have today.

We Can Do It!

Growing up with an extremely rare medical condition didn’t stop Abby and Brittany Hensel from living their lives to the fullest. They managed to overcome all the obstacle standing in their way – and they did it together, every step of the way.

Despite everything they had to face, Abby and Brittany have a pretty active lifestyle. Their extraordinary coordination allows them to do things that may seem completely unattainable at the first glance, such as swimming, running, and riding a bike.

Same Body, Different People

Just because Abby and Brittany share a body, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re sharing a mind. They are separate people with distinctive personalities and different interests and views, who've enjoyed exploring their unique passions from a very young age.

It also quickly became obvious that the twins have a different set of academic skills. Brittany turned out to be an amazing writer with a knack for humanities, while her sister got better grades in more science-based subjects, including math.

Different Taste

Being passionate about completely different subjects in school isn’t the only thing that sets these two apart. In addition to having different grades, Abby and Brittany don't enjoy the same type of food.

Business Correspondence

Brittany and Abby may have completely separate brains, but there are still times when they refer to themselves as one person. Whenever they’re answering to their emails or chatting with their clients, these twins are using the first person singular “I” instead of “We”.

The twins explained they don’t feel the need to differentiate between each other in every message, because it’s more convenient. They also do it because their minds are so much in tune that they’re sometimes thinking as if they were indeed one and the same.

Unique Outfits

It’s not uncommon to see twins wearing similar items of clothing, but in Brittany’s and Abby’s case this is actually unavoidable. Their unique physique makes it impossible for them to buy clothes in regular stores, and all of the items they're wearing are tailored specifically for them.

The twins work closely with a seamstress, who’s in charge of creating unique necklines that make it possible for them to enjoy new clothes. But sharing an outfit doesn't stop the duo from expressing their unique styles with different sets of hats and accessories.

Corrective Surgery

The doctors asked Brittany’s and Abby’s parents if they wanted them to surgically separate their daughters, but the couple didn’t want to put them through this life-threatening procedure. They did, however, agreed to a minor corrective surgery.

Brittany and Abby now have one arm each, but they were born with an extra vestigial arm. Their parents came to a conclusion this arm would be more of an obstacle, and agreed to have it removed as it became clear it wouldn’t be very useful.

Study Buddy

Abby and Brittany quickly realized they weren’t interested in same things, and had to make a difficult choice after graduating high school. They wanted to major in different subjects, but was this even possible?

The twins considered studying at different universities, but quickly came to the conclusion they wouldn’t be able to handle the work load. Studying for separate degrees was very impractical and probably impossible, so they picked a major that suited them both. After years of hard work, they graduated from Bethel University in 2012, with a degree in education.

Finding That Special Someone

Living with a pretty specific medical condition isn’t stopping the duo from believing in their happily ever after. Abby and Brittany are aware that dating won’t come easy, but they’re still hoping they’ll both find their Prince Charming and have kids one day.

And no matter how long it might take, the two vow to never lose faith. The twins put so much effort into making everything else in their lives work, and getting their fairytale ending should be no different.

Strange Looks

Abigail and Brittany are fully aware of their unique appearance, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated like a circus attraction. Growing up, the twins repeatedly found themselves surrounded by people giving them strange looks and taking photos without their permission, and naturally it made them very uncomfortable.

They spent their entire lives putting up with this kind of behavior, and decided to put an end to it by flipping the camera, and creating their own reality show on their own terms. Opening up in front of the camera also allowed them to dispel some misconceptions and stigmas about their condition.

Practice Makes Perfect

The Hensel twins spent their entire lives perfecting their cooperation skills, but the work is never entirely done. They are constantly practicing and trying to improve themselves in this regard, since their daily tasks don’t come naturally to them.

Fortunately, they share immense passion for sports, and staying active proves to be one of the best ways to keep their game on point. The list of sports that Abby and Brittany enjoy is pretty long, but bowling and volleyball are their absolute favorites.

Rarely Sick

Many conjoined twins suffer numerous medical complications along the way, but not Abby and Brittany Hensel. The two sisters were lucky enough to avoid this curse, and they don’t get sick very often.

And since they have a separate set of organs, this duo rarely gets sick at the same time. Even when one of them has a cold, the other can still feel completely healthy and simply go on with her life without a care in the world.

Joined Interest

Abby and Brittany Hensel have their own unique sets of hobbies and interests, but there are still things they both enjoy doing. Playing musical instruments is one of their biggest passions. They're actually pretty talented musicians, and vigorously work to improve their skills.

The twins have already mastered the piano and the guitar, but they’re not stopping there. They are constantly looking to expand their arsenal, and actively work toward that goal.

Separate Meals

Abby and Brittany may have the same body, but they have separate stomachs and digestive tracts. That’s why they can’t simply eat a single meal and leave it at that. Every time they eat out, each of the sisters must make a separate order since they don’t share the same taste for food.

It’s uncommon to see Abby and Brittany ask for the same dish, but there are still some meals they enjoy sharing from time to time, including super-tasty burgers.

The Cherry on the Cake

Abby and Brittany don’t only enjoy ordering different meals at restaurants, their birthdays are also a culinary adventure of their own. Each of the sisters gets their own cake on the big day, but they don’t look anything alike.

In addition to ordering different types of cakes, the Hensels prefer the desert look completely different from the outside. Each of the cakes is decorated in a unique way, reflecting their personal taste. It must feel nice getting two cakes on your birthday, and having someone to share them with on your special day.

Common Ground

Sharing a body with someone means you have to be really good at finding a common ground. It often happens that Abby and Brittany don’t want to do same things, but they learned a long time ago that they must compromise.

They had to figure out ways to set boundaries over the years, because they often wanted to do completely different things. They still struggle with this from time to time, especially when one of them feels tired, while the other is still wide awake.

In Good Health

Overall, Abby and Brittany are leading normal lives and are in an amazing shape, but the doctors are still worried about their health. Only four sets of conjoined twins similar to Abby and Brittany managed to survive into adulthood, and that’s enough of a reason for concern.

All of these twins went on to suffer from congenital heart defects or other organ anomalies along the way. Fortunately, none of this happened to the Hensels and it seems they’ll get to live long and happy lives.

Successful Surgery

Abby and Brittany may be in excellent health today, but there was a time when things weren’t going as smoothly. At the age of 12, the two were rushed into emergency surgery, and their parents feared for their lives.

The twins suffered from constant pressure on their lungs which started increasing over time, because their ribcages are fused together. Everything went great in the end, and the doctors solved the problem by expanding their ribcage so it could accommodate their growing body.

Going Strong

The twins’ condition may be extremely rare, but those who survived it in the past had to deal with a pretty specific set of medical complications. Other conjoined twins who shared similar circumstances with Abby and Brittany often struggled with heart problems.

This is a very common affliction that impacted many people born this way, but not these two. They are keeping in check with the doctors on a regular basis, to make sure their hearts are in a good condition and working properly.

School Teachers

After finishing university, Abby and Brittany found a teaching job at a local elementary school, in close proximity to their home town. Needless to say, they’re doing this together, and their unique condition is part of the reason why they’re so amazing at their job.

One of their pupils said that “you can’t get away with anything in Ms. Hensel’s class”, and it’s not hard to see why. While one of them teaches the prepared lesson plan, the other is in charge of keeping an eye on the kids, and making sure they’re not up to any shenanigans.

Out and About

Getting strange looks on the street is a part of Abby’s and Brittany’s daily experience, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to lock themselves up and never leave the safety of their home. Instead of escaping their unpleasant reality, the twins decided to make the best of it.

They still feel uncomfortable when total strangers give them weird looks, but they’re trying to maintain a positive outlook on life. They are pretty social and outgoing, and have a large group of friends who accept them just the way they are.

Quiet Life

Most people met Abby and Brittany through their reality show on TLC, but they didn’t make this step because they wanted to become stars. Letting in camera crews into their lives was meant to show everyone they’re just regular people and dispel the stigmas about conjoined twins.

Those days are long behind them, and they now prefer being out of the spotlight and leading a quiet life. Instead of using their show to become overnight celebrities, Abby and Brittany decided to focus on their careers and loved ones instead.

ce in a Blue Moon

We’ve already mentioned that being born as a conjured twin is going well against the odds. Only 200 people with this condition are born each year, and many of them don’t get to live for long. Barely a half of conjoined twins make it through their first birthday, and that’s why it’s so incredible to see that Abby and Brittany got to grow up and thrive.

Conjoined siblings who make it into adulthood are extremely rare, but these two spent their entire lives going against all odds – and they’re showing no signs of stopping.

Financial Independence

Abby and Brittany aren’t using their unique condition to get a free pass in life. They're doing everything in their power to distinguish themselves as separate people, and if that means paying double for certain things – so be it.

Financial independence is very important to the two, since it’s one of the indicators of their ability to lead a normal life. That’s the reason why they buy two tickets every time they visit a local movie theater, despite the fact they technically only take one seat.

One Salary

Abby and Brittany don’t feel the need to distinguish themselves financially when it comes to their salary. They are working as a single teacher, with one class at a time, and so are paid only one salary.

This doesn’t sound that fair since they have two separate degrees and teachers' licenses, but they’re not complaining. Their job obviously provides them with a sense of fulfillment that is priceless, and we’re hoping their salary is enough to cover all of their expenses.

The Hensel Family

Abby and Brittany Hensel grew up in Minnesota, surrounded by an extremely close and loving family. Their mother, Patty, is a registered nurse, while their father, Mike, works as a carpenter.

Their parents faced many ups and downs over the years, but managed to raise two amazing daughters who are now capable of taking care of themselves. Abby and Brittany, however, aren’t their only children. The twins grew up with two siblings who love them unconditionally: their brother, Dakota, and their sister, Morgan.

Body Temperature

Abby and Brittany share many things, but their body temperature isn’t one of them. This is another situation where they struggle finding a common ground, and choosing what to wear can get extremely tricky.

The twins have to reach a compromise every time one of them is feeling too cold or too hot, and we can’t imagine how difficult things can get during the cold Minnesota winters. Anyone who ever fought with their siblings about setting the right AC temperature can probably relate to their struggle.