Where Are Abby and Brittany Hensel Now? Inside the Lives of the Famous Conjoined Twins After Reality TV Fame

Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel first captured the world’s attention in 1996, when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show as bright, energetic six-year-olds. Their story was unlike any other: born dicephalic parapagus twins—two heads, one body—they became a symbol of resilience, curiosity, and the power of family. Now, nearly three decades later, the sisters have built successful careers, navigated personal milestones, and continue to inspire fans with their determination to lead normal, fulfilling lives.

Early Fame and Life in the Spotlight

Abby and Brittany were born on March 7, 1990, in Minnesota to parents Patty and Mike Hensel. From the very beginning, their lives were marked by extraordinary challenges and equally extraordinary choices. Doctors offered the possibility of separation, but with little chance that both twins would survive, their parents made the difficult decision to keep them together. As their father explained, “How could you pick between the two?”

Despite sharing a body from the waist down, each twin controls her own side—Abby the right, Brittany the left—and has her own heart, spine, and set of lungs. They share a bloodstream and all organs below the waist. Together, they learned to walk, run, swim, drive, and even play sports, their coordination and teamwork impressing everyone who met them.

Their journey was chronicled in documentaries like Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16 and, most famously, in the TLC reality series Abby & Brittany, which aired in 2012. The show followed the twins as they graduated from Bethel University, traveled through Europe, and embarked on their first jobs as teachers. Viewers were captivated not only by their unique situation, but also by their humor, warmth, and refusal to let their condition define them.

Building Careers and Living Quietly

After their brief stint on reality TV, Abby and Brittany chose to step away from the spotlight and focus on their careers. Today, the twins live in Minnesota and work as fifth-grade teachers. Their school hired them as a team, giving them separate contracts and splitting a single salary. Abby excels in math and science, while Brittany’s strengths are in language arts and reading—a perfect pairing for their classroom.

Despite their fame, the sisters have always insisted on being treated like everyone else. “People have been curious about us since we were born, for obvious reasons,” they said in their TLC show. “But our parents never let us use that as an excuse. We were raised to believe we could do anything we wanted to do.”

Outside of work, Abby and Brittany enjoy everyday activities and have built a modest following on TikTok, where their account boasts over 300,000 followers. They share glimpses of their lives, from classroom moments to personal celebrations, continuing to charm fans with their authenticity and positivity.

A New Chapter: Abby’s Marriage and Family Life

In November 2021, Abby quietly married Josh Bowling, a nurse and Army veteran. The couple kept their relationship private for several years, but in 2024, Abby and Brittany confirmed the marriage on social media, sharing footage of Abby and Josh’s first dance and addressing online curiosity with grace and humor. “The internet is extra LOUD today,” they joked in a TikTok post, later adding, “We know you think you know us.”

Abby’s marriage brought new dynamics to the twins’ lives. She became a stepmother to Josh’s daughter, Isabella, from his previous marriage. Brittany’s relationship status remains private, but the sisters continue to support each other in every aspect of life.

Recent Headlines: A New Addition?

In August 2025, Abby and Brittany made headlines once again when they were photographed carrying a newborn baby. The sisters have not publicly confirmed whether the child is theirs, but they did respond to the media attention by posting a TikTok video featuring the baby and captioning it simply, “blessed.” The photos were set to the song “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre, a playful nod to their ability to embrace life’s surprises with humor and joy.

What’s Next for Abby and Brittany?

Today, Abby and Brittany continue to live in Minnesota, teaching fifth grade and enjoying the quiet, fulfilling life they fought so hard to build. Their story is one of perseverance: overcoming physical challenges, navigating public scrutiny, and achieving personal and professional milestones. Though they occasionally step back into the spotlight—whether to celebrate a wedding or share a joyful moment—they remain determined to live life on their own terms.

As they wrote in one TikTok post, “The most amazing thing about us is we are like everyone else.” In a world obsessed with difference, Abby and Brittany Hensel remind us that true strength lies in embracing what makes us unique—and in finding joy, love, and purpose, no matter the obstacles.

Abby and Brittany’s journey continues to inspire, proving that even the most extraordinary lives can be filled with ordinary happiness.