World’s Oldest Conjoined Twins Die At 62

Lori, the world’s oldest conjoined twin, and her transgender brother, George Schappell, have died at the age of 62.

Lori and conjoined twin George died tragically on Sunday, April 7, in a Pennsylvania hospital, with the cause of death unknown, according to Leibensperger Funeral Homes’ online obituaries.

The twins, who were born with partially fused skulls and shared 30% of their brains, overcame medical expectations that they would not live past the age of thirty.

Lori was able-bodied, but George, who had spina bifida, used a wheelchair that his sibling pushed around.

They were the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders, after George proclaimed his transgender status in 2007 and began presenting as a man.

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George established a great career as a country musician, while Lori continued her passion for ten-pin bowling, winning several trophies. Lori worked at a hospital laundry in the 1990s, scheduling her shifts around George’s engagements.

According to Guinness World Records, George’s fame as a country singer allowed the conjoined twins to visit Germany and Japan.

They previously made headlines when George, born Dori, came out as transgender. They were the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders after George came out as a transgender man in 2007.

At that point, George changed his name from Reba, which he chose to respect his favourite Reba McEntire because he disliked their rhyming names, to George.

The twins lived individually in a two-bedroom flat in Pennsylvania, alternating between their respective pastimes. They alternated sleeping in each other’s rooms and showering separately, using the shower curtain as a barrier while one stood outside the bathtub.

“Guinness World Records are saddened to learn of the deaths of the oldest living conjoined twins and oldest female conjoined twins ever, Lori and George Schappell,” Guinness World Records wrote on Friday, April 12.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli