Where Are The Conjoined Twins Today: Abby and Brittany Hensel Update

Not all pregnancies are the same. Sometimes, you give birth to more children than you might have bargained for. Other times, those kids might arrive with certain conditions that set them apart from most other children. In the case of the Hensel twins, it was a bit of both.

Not only did Abby and Brittany's mom give birth to several children, but those children had a rare condition. The girls are dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins, meaning they only have one body but two heads. This rare phenomenon has impacted the girls throughout their lives, but it hasn't stopped them thriving.

The Hensel twins attracted attention as soon as they were born

When a rare birth like this occurs, it inevitably becomes a big news story. After all, conjoined twins reportedly only happen once every 200,000 live births. So, when Brittany and Abby Hensel arrived on March 7, 1990, they were instantly a major talking point. This was especially the case as doctors didn't even know the Hensels were having twins.

Apparently, the conjoined twins' heads were perfectly aligned during the ultrasound, making them look like one person. So, when the Hensel twins arrived on that fateful day, everyone was in for quite a surprise. Unfortunately, given the survival risks for conjoined twins, it wasn't necessarily the most pleasant surprise. The doctors didn't know about Brittany and Abby being fighters, though.

Doctors offered to separate the Hensel twins, but their parents said no

Not all conjoined twins have to share a body throughout their lives. There are procedures that can separate people with this condition, although the risks are significant. There's never a guarantee of survival with a surgery like this. That meant that if the Hensel twins were separated, there was a decent chance at least one of them wouldn't make it.

Brittany and Abby's parents had a tough decision to make following the birth. Did they separate the girls and risk one - or possibly both - not surviving the procedure, or did they forgo the surgery and instead do what they could to give the girls the best upbringing possible? They opted for the latter, believing it was for the best.

The Hensel twins share some internal organs but not others

With the Hensel twins being such a rarity, doctors were naturally curious about how their bodies worked. After all, there's only a limited number of conjoined twins to learn from in the world, and not all of their bodies work the same way. In the case of Brittany and Abby, it seems they share a lot of internal organs.

For instance, they reportedly only have one liver, one bladder, and one intestine. However, they do have duplicates of some things, like heart and lungs. They also have two spinal cords but only one rib cage. Something else they share is arms and legs, meaning coordination has been a big learning curve in the unique lives of the Hensel twins.

The conjoined twins also have a few external differences that set them apart

For the most part, the Hensel twins' body doesn't look that different from the average human body. The biggest difference is their two heads, with Abby's tilted five degrees to the right and Brittany's 15 degrees to the left. The latter's leg is also apparently two inches shorter, resulting in a larger calf muscle because she often walks on tip-toe.

In some ways, the Hensel twins have gotten off lightly compared to other conjoined twins out there. However, they have had to undergo several procedures to keep them healthy. For instance, Abby's spine was surgically halted after her sister stopped growing. They also had their chest cavity expanded when they were 12 years old to avoid any breathing difficulties.

People have raised questions over how the Hensel sisters experience pain

Many have wondered what it must be like to live the unusual lives of the Hensel twins and others like them. When you've never been a conjoined twin, it can be hard to relate to what they go through. That's why people have plenty of questions for them, such as whether the sisters feel each other's pain or discomfort.

According to the Hensel twins, there have been times when one has experienced stomach pains, and the other has consequently felt it. However, this supposedly isn't a persistent thing, meaning it can be hard to predict when this happens. Moreover, Abby can reportedly only experience pain in her left half, while for Brittany, it's only in her right half.

The Hensel twins don't tend to experience body temperature in the same way

There are many things that a person might experience in their body every day that they don't consider too deeply. However, once you start thinking about conjoined twins, people start to wonder how those experiences differ. Another thing that fans of the Hensel twins have been curious about in the past is their body temperature.

On their TLC reality series 'Abby & Brittany,' they shared that they often have different body temperatures. Brittany said she often feels hot and sweaty during the day, whereas her sister feels "totally fine." In this regard, it's as though they aren't conjoined twins, with Brittany saying they basically have a line down their body that separates how they experience temperature.

Learning how to do things together supposedly wasn't as difficult as you might expect

Being conjoined twins means that Abby and Brittany have to be good at coordination. After all, they're two halves of the same body, which means they need to be in sync if they want to get anything done. The good news is that things have always been this way, so they haven't had to relearn anything.

The girls learned how to coordinate with each other at the same time they learned to coordinate themselves, so they adjusted relatively quickly. They went from discovering how to cross their legs together to mastering crawling, brushing their hair, swimming, and so much more as a pair. Nowadays, there's no end to the things they can do together.

The Hensel twins both had to pass their driving test to get their license

The unique lives of the Hensel twins have thrown up so many challenges, with coordination being one of the biggest. However, it's evidently never gotten in their way, with the conjoined twins achieving some incredible things so far. For instance, the girls both passed their driving test when they were teenagers, a remarkable feat given the potential dangers.

Even though the pair share a body, they weren't allowed to only do one test. Both of them had to pass to prove they understood the rules of the road. Given that Brittany controls the left of the body and Abby the right, the former controls things like the blinker while the latter deals with the gas and brakes.

Choosing the right outfit to wear is sometimes a struggle for the Hensel twins

Sharing a body with another person can have its setbacks, especially with simple things like getting dressed. After all, the Hensel twins share a body, which means they both have to approve of the things that they wear. If they have different tastes in fashion, that can make finding the right clothes a bit tricky every morning.

If the girls often have different body temperatures, that can also make finding a suitable outfit tricky. The conjoined twins admitted to the BBC in 2013 that Brittany likes "neutrals and pearls and stuff" while her sister is more into "fun and bright and colorful." So, choosing clothes definitely isn't their favorite activity to do together.

The Hensel twins do what they can to express their individuality

When you're a set of conjoined twins, it can be hard to showcase individuality. After all, you have to wear the same clothes and do the same activities most of the time. So, finding things that both siblings enjoy is generally the most important. That doesn't mean the Hensel twins haven't found ways to emphasize their individuality at times, though.

For instance, they apparently often rely on a seamstress to help them customize their outfits. Sometimes, this person will stitch two tops together so that the girls can showcase their personal styles rather than compromising on their clothes. Another way they show off their individuality is the way they speak, with Abby apparently being more outspoken than her sister.

The girls often bring out the best in one another but not always

Siblings can often bring out the best - and sometimes the worst - in one another, and that seems to be the case with the Hensel twins. With them being conjoined, they've had no choice but to spend time together, so it seems some of their qualities have rubbed off on each other. For instance, Abby has helped Brittany be more confident.

However, the pair will always have their differences, which can sometimes cause issues. For example, Abby apparently considers herself to be quite a "homebody," while her sister is reportedly very interested in exploring the world. Unfortunately, because they both inhabit the same body, they can't both live out those interests. So, a compromise is usually necessary.

The Hensel twins reportedly have different passions and fears

The Hensel sisters might be twins who share the same body, but that doesn't mean they're the same person - far from it. They both have individual passions that define who they are and give more purpose and joy to their life. For example, Abby is apparently a fan of sciences, while her sister allegedly prefers the arts.

This also extends to things like fears, with Brittany being afraid of heights while Abby is seemingly indifferent. That must make being high up quite daunting for the former, given she needs her sister to let her go back down when she can't handle it anymore. Fortunately, the two seem close, so we imagine that's not usually an issue.

Compromising has been key for the Hensel twins

Compromise is something that many people have a problem with. Although it's usually the best way to ensure that everyone is satisfied, it can still be hard to do. In the unique lives of the Hensel twins, though, there's not usually much of an option. It's either compromise or deal with the person permanently next to you being unhappy.

Luckily, after enough time, the pair have learned when to compromise and to prioritize one another's needs as much as their own. Areas where they've reportedly compromised in the past include their school studies, jobs, and when they hang out with other people. Reaching a compromise isn't always smooth, but they tend to get there in the end.

The Hensel twins prefer not to discuss anything about their dating life

The interesting lives of the Hensel twins is like nothing that many people have seen before. So, it's maybe no wonder that so many are curious about how the sisters navigate their dating life. After all, they're two people, but they have one body, so does that mean they're both looking for the same person to love or someone different?

This is one of the aspects of their lives that these conjoined twins don't care to talk about. In 2012, they told the Daily Mirror that they don't believe the world needs to know who they're seeing or anything else about such personal matters. They don't want their love life being discussed by millions, and that's totally understandable.

They've opened up before about what it's like when they travel

While the Hensel twins might not care to discuss their dating life, that doesn't mean they're a closed book. After all, they had their own reality series on MTV, so they had to be comfortable letting the world into certain aspects of their lives. Something that they're apparently not afraid to open up about is their traveling habits.

It seems that Abby and Brittany both have their own passports, although they only occupy one seat on a plane. Given that Abby is more of a "homebody" than her sister, they don't necessarily travel all that often. However, they have jetted off to other parts of the world before. Unfortunately, that has sometimes come with unwanted attention.

The Hensel twins received a lot of attention in public because they're conjoined twins

The lives of the Hensel twins are pretty special, but being unique can sometimes be a curse. As Brittany and Abby stand out so much because they're conjoined twins, they frequently receive stares and comments from people. A lot of this is simply others being curious because they're not accustomed to this phenomenon, but it can still be hurtful.

The Hensel twins have gotten used to the looks, the remarks, and the hidden photos after all these years. They don't love it and would prefer people to just leave them be. However, they know that it's an inevitability because they don't blend in with the crowd. Thankfully, they have a great support network to help deal with anyone unpleasant.

Abby and Brittany have friends who will always have their backs in public

Trust is something that might not always come easily to Abby and Brittany. After all, it might be hard for them to tell if people want to get close to them because they care or to simply take advantage. Thankfully, they've found a group of friends who they can apparently put their trust in, no matter what.

Erin Junkans is reportedly in that group, once telling the BBC that she endeavors to "make sure that they're safe." When they're in public, she'll reportedly look out for people that might be trying to snap pictures or cause trouble. She admitted that she'll sometimes stand in the way of those pictures to try and protect her friends.

When the Hensel sisters get overwhelmed, they apparently take a moment to themselves

Although the Hensel twins have friends looking out for them, they are perfectly capable of standing their ground. They've had years to adjust to other people's perceptions of them, so they've learned ways to cope with all their attention. According to Erin, she's frequently amazed by their "ability to just shake it off" like nothing's happened.

That doesn't mean they don't get overwhelmed, though. However, when they do, the conjoined twins apparently just "get away from the area for a little bit" until they feel ready to return. They try not to let it interfere with what they're doing, but sometimes they just need a moment to themselves. They're only human, after all.

Their mom apparently wants nothing but the best for the girls

The unusual lives of the Hensel twins has been a learning curve for several people, not just Abby and Brittany. Their parents have also had to adjust as they've done what they can to ensure the girls have a normal childhood. They likely knew that things wouldn't be easy for the siblings growing up and wanted to save them pain.

When their mom, Patty, spoke to the BBC, she admitted that she simply wants her daughters "to be successful and to be happy and healthy." That's all that most people want for their kids. The fact that Abby and Brittany are conjoined twins doesn't make any difference to her. It certainly doesn't make her love them any less.

The Hensel twins have been in the public eye for most of their lives

When the Hensel twins' reality series debuted on TLC, it brought the girls to the attention of millions. Of course, this wasn't the first time that everyone had heard of the conjoined twins. Before the show let them give the world an insight into their lives, they made waves in magazines and even on Oprah Winfrey's TV show.

The girls were six years old when they appeared on the talk show to share what it was like living the unusual lives of the Hensel twins. This made quite a splash, as did their appearance on the cover of Life magazine. Although the publication is now defunct, they made a big impression when they featured on it in 1998.

Abby and Brittany reportedly did all of this publicity to have fun and educate viewers

There's often a lot of discussion about whether it's a good idea for kids to be in the spotlight. When a child is exposed to fame while they're still developing, it can sometimes warp their expectations and how they view the world. However, that doesn't seem to have happened to the Hensel twins, despite all the publicity they received.

They told the BBC that the reason they wanted to do everything that they did was "because it's fun." They also felt it was important to give the rest of the world a glimpse into the interesting lives of the Hensel twins. Normalizing them was the best way to stop people from making a big deal about them in public.

The Hensel twins supposedly weren't afraid to share their personal lives with strangers

Doing interviews and having their own reality show was a good way for the Hensel twins to make some money and educate the world about their lives. However, it was also a big risk. After all, giving strangers an insight into their private world is a pretty daunting prospect that would likely scare many people away.

Not these conjoined twins, though. The prospect of letting the world see that "they do normal things" overwrote any concerns they might have had about sharing their personal lives on camera. The need for people to understand that they're just like anyone else was too important to ignore. Unfortunately, the show only ever produced one season of ‘Abby & Brittany.’

Choosing what to study at college apparently wasn't that difficult for the Hensel twins

For those interested in following the unusual lives of the Hensel twins, 'Abby & Brittany' was a compelling show. It documented the pair's lives during some incredibly important moments, such as graduating from college and moving into their own home. It seems that achieving the former was less of a challenge than it could have been because they shared career passions.

There allegedly wasn't much argument over what to study at college because they apparently both had an interest in education. Although they initially wished to pursue different educational disciplines, they decided against this in the end. The amount of extra work they'd have had to do likely would have been too much for them to handle.

The Hensel twins found a teaching job the same year they graduated from college

In 2012, Abby and Brittany Hensel both graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. They had done what was required of them to pursue a career teaching the next generation. Now, all they needed to do was to score a job, which is often easier said than done. Luckily, it didn't take these two long.

That same year, the Hensel twins shared the good news that they had found a job that suited them perfectly. It can take many college graduates several years to track down a suitable job, so the girls were incredibly lucky. Of course, it wasn't just luck that got them there - it was intelligence, skill, and talent too.

Working a part-time job was apparently ideal for the Hensel twins

While teaching at an elementary school might not have been what both of them initially wanted, it soon became clear that it was the best fit for them. So, the fact they managed to get a part-time job doing that so quickly after college was amazing. They were responsible for teaching math to fourth and fifth graders.

While some people might want more than a part-time position for their first job, the Hensel twins explained in their series that it was perfect for them. It allowed them to gradually transition into becoming teachers, something that can take a while to adjust to. After all, being in charge of so many kids is a ton of responsibility.

The Hensel twins reportedly had different career ambitions when they were younger

Being teachers seems to fit Abby and Brittany perfectly. However, just because they're great at their job, that doesn't mean they always had their sights set on a career in education. According to their mom, the pair used to have very different ideas of what they'd do with themselves once they finished school and found jobs.

She said that one of the girls wanted to be a dentist, while the other was interested in being a pilot. Trying to explore both careers as conjoined twins would have been tricky. Fortunately, they were five years old at the time and soon had different ideas on what they should do with their lives.

Their mom believes that the sisters were always destined to become teachers

When Patty heard about those career paths, she was likely supportive of her children's ambitions. However, she was probably aware that the girls wouldn't have been able to explore both avenues when they were older. So, she was likely relieved when they grew up and decided to focus on the same thing, especially as it suited them so well.

It seems Patty believes that the Hensel twins were always destined to be teachers because of how they are with kids. What's more, children reportedly seem to gravitate towards them, and not just because of their "curiosity" about why the sisters look different. It must have been written in the stars for these two to be teachers.

The Hensel twins beat hundreds of applicants to get their teaching position

Applying for jobs is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can go through. If you're lucky enough to make it to an interview, you then have to ace that while proving you're better than other applicants you know nothing about. It can often seem like the odds are against you, but that wasn't the case for Abby and Brittany.

A reported 175 people applied for the job that these two ultimately received. Some of these men and women may well have had more experience than the Hensel twins did with teaching kids. However, the principal - Mr. Good - saw something special in the siblings that he didn't see in anyone else. So, they were the ones who emerged victorious.

Abby and Brittany seemingly blew people away when interviewing for the teaching job

It seems that Abby and Brittany just had the 'it' factor when they applied for the job. Of course, this wasn't the only reason why they were hired. The girls still had to prove themselves in the interview, something they evidently achieved. Mr. Good opened up about this during an episode of the pair's reality series.

It seems that everyone who sat in on the interview with Abby and Brittany was impressed by what they had to offer. So much so that one person apparently told the principal to "Run after them, hire them, give them the job." There was seemingly no doubt in people's minds that these two were the right fit.

Mr. Good tried to make Abby and Brittany's transition to the school a smooth one

After learning that they'd gotten the job, Abby and Brittany couldn't wait to start. However, they and everyone else at the school knew that the transition wouldn't necessarily be a smooth one. The school reportedly didn't have any experience working with conjoined twins, so work was required to ensure that the sisters felt comfortable and welcome in their new job.

One of the first things that Mr. Good allegedly did after hiring the Hensel twins was to call human resources. He wanted to know how things would work having conjoined twins on the staff. They informed him that the women would both need to sign separate contracts and that their salary would be split in half.

The Hensel twins were apparently aware that there would be sacrifices with the job

Splitting their salary was an unfortunate sacrifice but one that the Hensel twins had reportedly expected upon receiving the job. The pair were no strangers to sacrifice, as being conjoined twins meant they'd had to make many over the years. Working the same job and following the same career was in itself a huge sacrifice.

Sometimes, though, sacrifices are necessary if it means getting your foot in the door. The Hensel twins were fortunate to get a job so soon after graduating, and the experience this provided them would make a big difference. After a few years, they would potentially have an opportunity to renegotiate their pay, so it was no longer a sacrifice.

Abby and Brittany can offer more as a duo than if there was only one of them

The Hensel twins apparently understood why they were only getting one person's pay split between the two of them. After all, they only had one body. However, while that might be the case, that doesn't mean these two aren't capable of doing more than the average teacher. Having two heads is quite beneficial in several ways.

For instance, their unique position makes it easier to keep a class under control. One of them can watch the room while the other is looking down, reading or marking something. Furthermore, they can also offer multiple perspectives while teaching. Things like this mean they're far more valuable in the classroom than if there was only one of them.

Mr. Good informed people in advance about Abby and Brittany being conjoined twins

Most adults have little - if any - experience with conjoined twins, let alone children. So, for the students in Abby and Brittany's class, this was likely to be their first time seeing two people who are dicephalic parapagus twins. That meant informing everyone in advance was necessary, just so they were all respectful and understanding on their first day.

Mr. Good reportedly achieved this by sending out letters so that everyone knew about the Hensel twins. That extended to other teachers at the school who might not have been aware of the new hires. It seemed the best way to be inclusive and ensure that the sisters didn't get any unwanted looks or remarks once they started their job.

The Hensel twins believed that their job was a step in the right direction

For Brittany and Abby, there was likely a lot of nerves regarding how people would perceive them on their first day. Over the years, they'd grown accustomed to a lot of unwanted attention, and they knew people at the school would be surprised by them. They didn't let that stop them from persevering with the job, though.

They believed that working at the school was actually a massive step in the right direction. It sent out such a good message to the world and proved that being different is nothing to be scared or ashamed of. Mr. Good was seemingly just as excited for them to start, calling the two of them “exceptional young women.”

Abby and Brittany have reportedly shown themselves to be great role models at the school

The principal had a ton of confidence in the Hensel twins, as did Abby and Brittany themselves. However, it was impossible to determine whether they'd succeed or fail until they actually started the job. Thankfully, once the girls did begin teaching, they proved that Mr. Good was right to have faith in them from the start.

The women have reportedly proven themselves to be excellent role models to the young students in their classes. Not only have they done a good job of teaching math, but they've also left the kids with important life lessons. This includes things like the idea that you can achieve anything if you set your heart to it.

The Hensel twins can apparently write emails with little communication between one another

Of course, being teachers hasn't necessarily been a walk in the park. Regardless of being conjoined twins, educating a class of children who don't necessarily want to be there is tough. However, as the unique lives of the Hensel twins has shown, these two are capable of overcoming any problem that falls into their path.

Even something like responding to an email isn't a challenge to them anymore. You might think it would be tough for conjoined twins to do this efficiently. However, they apparently know each other so well that they can predict what the other is going to say without them saying it. It's almost like they really are one person sometimes.

Abby and Brittany were lucky to avoid prejudice when they were hired

Most people want to make a good impression when they start a new job. After all, it's the best way to ensure that you enjoy working there and don't get fired. However, for the Hensel twins, there was a little more pressure to achieve this than most, given the rare situation they found themselves in.

Without this school, it could have taken a while for them to find another position. Everywhere they go, they have to deal with people's prejudices, many of which are silent. They were lucky to find a school that embraced their differences, as others might not have been so supportive. Thankfully, they blew everyone away in their job.

The Hensel twins apparently still work at the same elementary school today

It seems that the lives of the Hensel twins just keep going from strength to strength. It's been ten years now since the siblings first scored the job at their elementary school in Minnesota, and they're still there today. The sisters are listed on the staff directory of the school's website as one of the 5th-grade teachers.

If the pair had any doubts about their job when they started, those have evidently gone away now. After all, they likely wouldn't have stayed somewhere for a decade if they felt that it didn't suit them. They've clearly found a career that they're passionate about and potentially intend to stay at this school for many years to come.

Abby and Brittany haven't been active on their social media accounts for years

Unfortunately, it's hard to get any confirmation about Abby and Brittany's plans for the future, given they've steered clear of the spotlight in recent years. Although some of their social media accounts still exist, it's been years since they posted anything on them. For example, their last Instagram post was as far back as August 11, 2015.

This might be disappointing for those eager to follow the interesting lives of the Hensel twins. It also might seem surprising, given that the pair once had a reality series. However, perhaps the sisters are just ready to settle down and live normal lives away from the spotlight now. They don't see the need for publicity anymore.

Reaching adulthood as conjoined twins is rare, so the Hensel twins are lucky

While it's hard to know what's happening in the unique lives of the Hensel twins these days, we wish them nothing but the best. They'll be in their 30s now, something that some doctors probably didn't expect when the duo was born. It's not often that conjoined twins make it to adulthood due to the complications of sharing one body.

Most conjoined twins who you hear about becoming adults are people who were separated when they were younger. As the Hensel twins never had this operation, there was more chance of things going wrong as they grew older. There are no reports of the sisters facing ill health, though, so we can only assume they're continuing to survive and thrive.