You probably remember them as the two little girls on Oprah back in the 90s. Or maybe you caught their TLC show in 2012. Abby and Brittany Hensel have spent their entire lives under a microscope, mostly because people can't wrap their heads around how they actually live.
They’re 35 now.
Honestly, the fascination hasn't slowed down, but the sisters have worked really hard to keep things quiet. They aren't reality stars anymore. They're just fifth-grade teachers in Minnesota. But late in 2024 and throughout 2025, the internet basically exploded when news of Abby’s marriage went public. People had questions. A lot of them were pretty invasive.
The Wedding Nobody Knew About
It turns out Abby Hensel got married back in 2021. Yeah, she kept it a secret for three years. Her husband is Josh Bowling, a nurse and a veteran.
The photos that eventually leaked—and the ones they later shared on TikTok to shut people up—showed them dancing at the reception. Abby and Brittany wore a sleeveless wedding dress that was modified for their body. Josh was in a grey suit. It looked like any other Midwest wedding, except, you know, for the obvious.
People on Reddit and Twitter went wild. "How does it work legally?" "Is Brittany married too?"
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Basically, as far as the law is concerned, Abby is the one married to Josh. But since they share a body from the waist down, including their reproductive system, it’s not like Brittany can just go for a walk while they're on a date. They’ve had to coordinate their movements since they were toddlers, so they’ve apparently figured out how to navigate a marriage too.
What’s Up With the Baby Photos?
In August 2025, things got even weirder. TMZ caught photos of the twins in a parking lot in Arden Hills, Minnesota, carrying a car seat with a newborn baby.
The internet did what it does best: it assumed.
"Did they have a baby?" was the number one search term for weeks.
Here is what we actually know. Josh Bowling has a daughter, Isabella, from a previous marriage. Abby is officially a stepmom. As for the newborn in the photos, Josh eventually told People that a TikTok account claiming to be them was fake and that they haven't confirmed any new additions to the family.
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Medical experts, like Dr. Sujatha Reddy, have pointed out that since they have one set of reproductive organs, getting pregnant is biologically possible. But the twins themselves? They haven't said a word about whether that baby was theirs or if they were just helping out a friend. They’ve always said they wanted to be moms, though.
Life in the Classroom
While the world is obsessed with their personal lives, Abby and Brittany are busy teaching math to 11-year-olds.
They work at Sunnyside Elementary.
Interestingly, they don't get two paychecks. They have separate teaching licenses and two degrees from Bethel University, but since they occupy one "spot" in the classroom, they split a single salary. It’s been a point of contention for fans for years. Back in 2013, they told the BBC they hoped to negotiate that once they got more experience. Whether they ever got that raise is still private.
How They Function Day-to-Day
It’s easy to forget that these are two distinct people.
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- Abby controls the right side.
- Brittany controls the left.
- They have two hearts, two sets of lungs, and two stomachs.
- They share a liver, a bladder, and everything below the waist.
They can drive a car because they’ve learned to sync up perfectly. Abby handles the gas and the shifter; Brittany handles the blinkers. They both had to pass the driving test separately, which sounds like a logistical nightmare but they pulled it off.
Dealing With the "Loud" Internet
The sisters aren't fans of the gossip. When the marriage news broke, they posted a TikTok with a pretty blunt caption: "The internet is extra LOUD today."
They’ve lived their whole lives being stared at. It makes sense that they’ve retreated into a quiet, suburban life in Minnesota. They don't do big TV interviews anymore. They don't have a public PR team. They just post the occasional video to remind people they’re happy and move on.
It’s easy to view them as a medical curiosity, but they’ve spent 35 years proving they are just two women trying to have a normal career and a normal family.
If you're following their story, the best way to support them is to respect the boundaries they've clearly set. Avoid interacting with "fan" accounts on TikTok that use stolen photos, as these are often run by people looking to profit off their likeness. For verified updates, stick to reputable news outlets that have direct quotes from the family or Josh Bowling.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see the actual footage they've authorized, you can check out their official TikTok @abbyandbrittanyhensel. To better understand the medical side of their condition, look into the specific anatomy of "dicephalic parapagus" twins through the National Library of Medicine.