World’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, die at age 62

The world’s oldest conjoined twinsever, Lori and George Schappell, passed away on April 7 at a hospital in Pennsylvania, United States, the Guinness World Records confirmed on Friday (April 12).

What we know about their death

The GWR and Leibensperger Funeral Homes in Leesport’s website confirmed that Lori L Schappell and George A Schappell, of Pennsylvania, died on Sunday (Apr 7), at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The twins were 62 years and 202 days old at the time of their deaths, which according to the GWR made them nine years older than the second-oldest female conjoined twins ever recorded. The cause of their deaths was not disclosed.

Who were Lori and George Schappell?

Lori and George (formerly named Dori) were born on September 18, 1961, in Pennsylvania to Franklin and the late Ruth Schappel, and were two among eight siblings.

They had partially fused skulls, shared vital blood vessels and 30 per cent of their brains, according to GWR.

In 2007, they also became the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders after George transitioned to a man.

They had been living separately since they were 24 years old, prior to which they had been living in a psychiatric hospital after their “frightened and confused” parents placed them there, Lori and George told New York Magazine in 2005.

Lori was able-bodied but George had spina bifida and could not walk. However, they never expressed any desire to be separated from each other.

George was a successful country singer and even performed in countries like Germany and Japan. Meanwhile, Lori was an award-winning ten-pin bowler, who once also worked at a hospital.

According to the GWR, the twins had been living independently in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania and even had their own rooms.

Lori and George tried to live their own individual lives as far as possible including practising their separate hobbies, showering separately, and so on.

They also defied all odds as medical professionals had predicted that they wouldn’t live past the age of 30.

Lori and George are survived by their father, six siblings, and several nieces and nephews.

(With inputs from agencies)