Lori and George Schappell, conjoined twins who led colorful, separate lives, have died at 62.
Both died on Sunday, April 7 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from undisclosed causes, as Leibensperger Funeral Homes details in their obituaries.
At 62 years and 202 days, Lori and George were nine years older than the second oldest conjoined twins on record.
Born on September 18, 1961, Lori and George (originally named Dori) were twins with partially fused skulls. They shared crucial blood vessels and 30% of their brain tissue, specifically in the frontal and parietal lobes.
Lori and George Schappell appeared in a 1997 documentary detailing their lives as conjoined twins. When asked if they would ever like to break up, they implied that it was something the outsiders wanted for them.
“Would we be separated? Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what isn’t broken?” George explained on the show, which can be seen below.
Despite being conjoined twins with limited mobility, Lori and George Schappell lived colorful lives
Although joined at the head, the twins exhibited clear differences. Lori was physically capable, while George, who suffered from spina bifida, could not walk. He used a wheelchair-like stool, which Lori kindly maneuvered for him.
George had a lucrative career as a country music singer, while Lori distinguished herself as a trophy-winning bowler. Lori also spent several years working in a hospital laundry during the 1990s, scheduling her work to accommodate George’s honky tonk concerts. George’s musical career took them around the world, touring countries such as Germany and Japan.
Needless to say, the duo were certainly outgoing. The twins even appeared as guests on rowdy talk shows like the Jerry Springer Show back in 2002.
Lori and George Schappell made history twice
In 2007, they made history as the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders. This milestone was reached when George began presenting as a man, following his revelation as transgender.
Previously, George adopted the name Reba. This was inspired by his idol Reba McEntire (he even sported fiery red locks while Lori remained brunette), due to her disdain for the rhyming names he and Lori shared.
Lori and George Schappell also spoke openly about their living situation. The twins resided in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania, each with their own room and alternating nights with each other. They aspired to independence, alternating their hobbies and effectively “disconnecting” from each other’s space.
They also took turns showering, using the shower curtain as a partition: one took a bath while the other waited outside the tub.
The twins surpassed medical predictions and became the oldest conjoined twins in 2015, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The twins outlived Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova, who died at age 53.
Lori and George left behind their father, six brothers and sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of friends who became like family.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn