The Curious Life Of The Conjoined Hilton Sisters

Published October 14, 2015
Updated June 11, 2021

This “normalcy” didn’t last for long. When the sisters failed to report to work one day in early 1969; police found the 60-year-old sisters in their home, dead of the flu. Medical tests revealed that Daisy died first, and Violet a few days later – presumably too sick to phone for help when her sister perished.

In June of this year, Bound by Flesh – a new documentary film by Leslie Zemeckis (wife of American director Robert Zemeckis) – premiered in limited theatrical release, and has been touted as the most thorough and respectful piece of media about the Hilton sisters, featuring interviews with friends and colleagues of the twins, along with vaudeville historians.

hilton conjoined sisters bound

Source: Jezebel

Anelle Newitz of i09 commented recently after the release of the documentary, “What makes Zemeckis’ film [Bound By Flesh] more than just a sad story of two exploited women is that it also shows us how the Hilton sisters fit into a unique moment in American media history.

These women were basically like the YouTube stars of the 1920s, famous in a medium that attracted millions, but didn’t translate into other media very successfully.”

Perhaps the saddest aspect of the Hilton twins’ story is that they could have been separated with little risk to either sister, as they did not share any internal organs. They claimed that they wanted to stay together, always.


Enjoy this fascinating look into the lives of the conjoined Hilton sisters? Then check out our other posts on interesting diseases and the weirdest mental disorders in human history. Then, read up on some of history’s most well-known “freak show” performers, including the infamous Grady Stiles.

author
Erin Kelly
author
An All That's Interesting writer since 2013, Erin Kelly focuses on historic places, natural wonders, environmental issues, and the world of science. Her work has also been featured in Smithsonian and she's designed several book covers in her career as a graphic artist.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.