close
Monday May 06, 2024

World's oldest conjoined twins Lori, George Schappell die aged 62

The twins were born in Pennsylvania on September 18, 1961

By Web Desk
April 13, 2024
Lori and George were the rarest type of conjoined twinning. —  Today/File
Lori and George were the rarest type of conjoined twinning. —  Today/File

The world’s oldest living conjoined twins aged 62, passed away on April 7 at a hospital in Pennsylvania, as reported by The Guinness World Records (GWR) and Leibensperger Funeral Homes in Leesport website.

Lori L Schappell and George A Schappell were born on September 18, 1961, as craniopagus twins, which means they had partially fused skulls and approximately 30% of their brains was joined.

In addition, they also shared vital blood vessels.

According to GWR, Lori and George were the rarest form of conjoined twinning, representing only 2% to 6% of cases.

The pair held the record for being the oldest female conjoined twins ever. However, after George came out as a transgender, they became the first set of same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders.

While Lori could walk, her brother George had been diagnosed with spina bifida, due to which he couldn’t walk on his own and had to be pushed around by a movable stool.

George was a country singer, whilst his sister was a trophy-winning ten-pin bowler and also worked at a hospital.

The pair lived independently in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania since the age of 24.