Abby and Brittany Hensel Make Rare Public Outing in Minnesota With Baby in Tow

Jordan Collins here. I suppose you need this spelled out, so okay, I’ll explain: Abby and Brittany Hensel made a low-key but notable public appearance in Arden Hills, Minnesota on August 14, where photographers spotted the conjoined twins loading a baby into a Tesla.

Yes, they were wearing casual summer fare — Abby in a black tank top and both in khaki shorts — and yes, the infant was properly secured in a carseat as the twins carefully placed the child into the back seat. TMZ obtained the photos that first circulated, and E! News confirmed details and sought comment from Abby, Brittany and Josh Bowling; as of publication none had replied. So no, I can’t tell you who the baby is because neither the twins nor their representatives have said, and gossip without confirmation is just noise.

Let’s be clear about what we already know and what is verified: the Hensel twins, born March 7, 1990, rose to fame on their 2012 TLC series Abby & Brittany and have stayed mostly out of the spotlight since. They live as adult dicephalus conjoined twins who share parts of their circulatory systems yet maintain distinct brains and nervous systems. That physiological reality was summarized in a December explainer video by molecular biologist Hashem Al-Ghaili shared to TikTok, which detailed that each twin has two heads, two brains, two spinal cords and two hearts integrated into a shared circulation. So while they are joined, their bodies function with a remarkable mix of independence and teamwork.

You might be curious about how they handle everyday tasks, so let me do the heavy lifting: both hold driver’s licenses. On-camera they’ve explained that Abby is in charge of gas and brakes while both steer and Brittany operates the blinker. Coordination, communication and mutual consent are clearly essential for everything from driving to holding a baby, and the photos show them operating with that practiced synchronicity.

Family background matters here too. Their mother Patty Hensel recounted in the 2007 documentary Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body that prenatal scans led doctors to expect a single baby. They were born with three arms, one of which was removed because it was nonfunctional, and their parents chose not to separate them, believing they could live full lives together. Both twins have consistently said they do not wish to be separated and have pursued ordinary activities like sports and social life.

Public curiosity follows them everywhere, and they’ve said they understand that people are interested. But when strangers snap photos without permission, they’ve expressed frustration. That’s common sense, and frankly, it’s rude to treat people like museum exhibits. So while their rare outing with a baby is undeniably newsworthy, the responsible takeaway is respect for privacy until they choose to share more.

So what’s next? Keep an eye out for any official statement confirming whether the baby is related to Abby or Brittany or connected to someone else. If you’re hoping for a juicy family update, consider this your reminder: verified sources only, please. You’re welcome.

Final little note: yes, they looked fine, coordinated and careful. No, we don’t have more details. And yes, it’s possible this was a one-off family errand rather than a public announcement. Stay tuned.

Well, now you finally understand.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, E! News, TLC (Abby & Brittany show), Extraordinary People: The Twins Who Share a Body documentary, Hashem Al-Ghaili (TikTok)
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed