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"We never wish we were separated because we would never be able to do all the things that we do now, like play softball, run and do sports." Wise words from Abby and Brittany Hensel, the now 29-year-old conjoined twins who delighted the world as children. 

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Abby and Brittany Hensel gained a lot of attention when they were born as conjoined twins, and since they have become adults they have sought a life outside of the spotlight. It is easy to understand why these two women value their privacy and seek as normal a life as possible. 

Born on March 7, 1990, in Carver County, Minnesota, Abby and Brittany Hensel are two of the world's most famous conjoined twins. They first became known as the twin girls who were not separated at birth due to the unusual decision that was made to keep them conjoined. The pair really experienced public life when they made an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's popular talk show. In spite of their unusual birth and body, the two young women have gone on to live surprisingly normal lives.

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Their parents made the decision to not have the girls separated, and the two have learned to thrive as one of the world's oldest set of conjoined twins. There are reportedly only 12 living pairs of conjoined twins at this time.

Early Years and Appearance on Oprah Winfrey's Show

It is not often that you see conjoined twins who remain joined well into adulthood. When Abby and Brittany Hensel were born, doctors informed their parents that it was very dangerous to separate the two. After consulting with medical experts, the girls' parents decided that keeping them conjoined was the best available option. The two girls are joined at the torso, with each able to control one side of their body.

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The pair first came to the public's attention when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996. It was unknown at that point just how successful their lives would be, but the two girls were able to really make it work! They learned how to work in unison to perform many daily tasks that many of us take for granted. The two even figured out how to drive a car. Both are licensed drivers, and they had to take the exam twice! The two had cameras following them for their reality throughout college which may have even drawn more attention to the pair. Following their college years, Abby and Brittany have not been seen in public very often, and there is not a whole lot that is known about their current lives.

The two studied teaching and graduated with degrees from Bethel University in Minnesota. The pair is very active and has learned how to coordinate their shared physicality in order to run, swim, and participate in different sports. It is amazing to consider how active and normal their lives are. The pair share many vital organs, and when they were born doctors were not sure how long they would live without serious medical complications. In addition to the twins, their parents also have a younger son and daughter who are not conjoined.

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Net Worth

The twins' current net worth is estimated to be around $700,000. The bulk of their fortune is likely from the money that they received from their reality TV program. In 2012 the twins were given their very own reality show, Abby & Brittany on the TLC network. The public was fascinated by the two charming young women and tuned in to watch. Interest in the duo is not limited to the United States. The British Broadcasting Corporation also filmed the pair during their college years and as they began their professional careers. The name of that program was Abby and Brittany: Joined for Life and it aired in 2006.

In addition to their reality TV show, the two also work as teachers. They work as one person rather than two. The Hensel twins teach math class and receive one salary because, in essence, they are performing the role of a single teacher. It is thought that as they gain more experience they will be able to negotiate separate salaries. It is a complicated situation for sure! 

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Current Projects

The twins continue to work as teachers and are currently teaching fifth-grade math in Minnesota, not far from their childhood home. The public has done a great job of being respectful of the twins' desire for privacy.

Conjoined twins are often considered a medical emergency, with doctors and parents rushing to have the twins separated. With the Hensel girls, the two have been able to carve out their own lives while sharing a body. It will be interesting to watch these two women continue to grow and thrive as adults!