Lori and George Schappell were born conjoined at the head in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on September 18, 1961. Doctors gave them almost no chance of surviving into adulthood. They not only survived, but went on to live for 62 years, becoming the oldest conjoined twins in recorded history. The twins were joined at the forehead and shared vital blood vessels and approximately 30% of their brain tissue.
Despite this, they had separate personalities and distinct minds. Their medical prognosis was grim from the start, with doctors believing they had little chance of long-term survival, yet the twins showed remarkable resilience from their earliest years. They were two of eight siblings and grew up determined to live as normally as possible. Both graduated from high school and went on to take college classes.
Lori worked for years in a hospital laundry, while Dori pursued a passion for country music, performing under the stage name Reba in honor of her favorite singer, Reba McEntire. Despite being physically connected, the twins fiercely protected their individuality. They lived together in a two-bedroom apartment, respecting each other’s privacy and personal space. Because Dori had spina bifida and used a wheeled stool, Lori would push her wherever she needed to go.
In 2007, Dori came out publicly as transgender and began living as George. Lori fully supported her brother’s transition, making them the first known conjoined twins to identify as different genders. George continued his music career while Lori excelled as a competitive 10-pin bowler, winning multiple trophies. The pair appeared in documentaries, talk shows, and even an episode of the television series Nip/Tuck.
They dated, had friends, and lived life on their own terms, always insisting they never wanted to be surgically separated. Their bond was unbreakable. On April 7, 2024, Lori and George Schappell passed away together at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They were 62 years old.
The exact cause of death was never publicly disclosed. Their services were private, and they were laid to rest at Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Perry Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, close to where they were born and raised. They had far outlived every medical expectation and left behind a powerful legacy of courage, love, and the right to live authentically.
