You probably remember the headlines from back in the day. Two girls, one body, and a million questions from a curious—and sometimes invasive—public. Well, things have changed. A lot. If you've been wondering about abby and brittany hensel now, the reality is much more "normal" than the tabloid frenzy would have you believe. They aren't just those kids from the TLC specials anymore. They’re grown women, professionals, and yes, at least one of them is navigating the wild world of marriage.
Living in Minnesota, the twins have basically mastered the art of being famous while staying totally under the radar. It’s a weird tightrope to walk. One day they're teaching fifth graders long division, and the next, a TikTok video of them goes viral and suddenly the whole world is weighing in on their private lives again. Honestly, it’s kinda impressive how they've handled it.
The Wedding That Set the Internet on Fire
Let’s talk about the big one. In early 2024, news broke that Abby Hensel had actually been married for years. We're talking since 2021. She tied the knot with Josh Bowling, a nurse and U.S. Army veteran. People went absolutely nuts when the photos surfaced. You’ve probably seen them—Abby and Brittany in a sleeveless white lace gown, smiling next to Josh in a grey suit.
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It wasn't a "new" wedding. It was just new to us.
The twins managed to keep that secret for three years. In a world where everyone posts what they had for breakfast, that’s a legendary feat of privacy. Josh has a daughter, Isabella, from a previous marriage, which means Abby (and by extension, Brittany) became a stepmom. It's a blended family situation that works for them, even if the logistics make the rest of the internet’s head spin.
What about the legal side?
People always ask: "Wait, is Brittany married to him too?"
The short answer is no. Legally, Abby is the one married to Josh. Even though they share a circulatory system and everything below the waist, they are two distinct legal entities. They have separate Social Security numbers and separate birth certificates. In the eyes of the law, they are two people.
The 2025 "Baby" Mystery
If you thought the marriage news was a lot, August 2025 took things to a whole different level. Paparazzi snapped photos of the twins in Minnesota carrying a newborn in a car seat. Naturally, the internet did what the internet does: it assumed the twins had given birth.
The sisters didn't give a long, drawn-out press release. They did what they always do—they posted a cryptic TikTok. They shared the photos themselves with a caption that just said "Blessed."
Was it their baby? Was it a friend's? They haven't officially confirmed if they've expanded their family. But here’s the thing: they’ve talked about wanting to be moms since they were teenagers. Back in their 2012 reality show, they specifically mentioned that motherhood was a goal. From a medical standpoint, it's possible. They have one working reproductive system, and doctors like Dr. Sujatha Reddy have noted that while rare, there's no biological reason they couldn't carry a pregnancy.
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Working for a Living (and the Paycheck Drama)
They aren't living off reality TV residuals. Abby and brittany hensel now are full-time fifth-grade teachers at Sunnyside Elementary in New Brighton, Minnesota. They’ve been there for over a decade.
Think about that for a second. Imagine being 11 years old and having two teachers who share a body. It’s actually a pretty incredible lesson in diversity and cooperation for those kids.
- Abby handles the math and science curriculum.
- Brittany takes the lead on language arts and reading.
- They coordinate their movements so seamlessly that one can be writing on the board while the other is scanning the room to see who’s passing notes.
But there’s a catch that honestly feels a bit unfair. Despite having two separate degrees from Bethel University and two separate teaching licenses, they only receive one salary. Their logic back in the day was that they were doing the work of "one person" in terms of classroom hours. However, they’ve mentioned wanting to negotiate that as they gain more experience. You'd think that having two distinct perspectives and the ability to multitask like they do would be worth a premium.
How They Function Every Day
It’s easy to forget that just moving around requires a level of synchronization that would break most people's brains. Abby controls the right side, Brittany controls the left.
Driving a car? They do it. Abby handles the pedals and the shifter; Brittany handles the turn signals and lights. They both have their own driver's licenses because the state of Minnesota required them to pass the test individually.
They even have different tastes. Abby likes her coffee black; Brittany is more of a tea person. One is a bit more of a homebody, while the other likes to be social. They've lived their entire lives as a constant compromise. If one wants to go to sleep and the other wants to stay up, they have to find a middle ground. It’s the ultimate lesson in "picking your battles."
Dealing with the "Haters"
The twins aren't oblivious to what people say online. They see the comments. They see the "how does that work?" questions. Their response is usually some variation of "get a life."
They’ve used their TikTok (which has over 300,000 followers) to clap back at critics. One of their most famous responses used a voiceover that said, "The internet is extra LOUD today... if you don't like what I do, but watch everything I'm doing, you're still a fan."
They don't owe the public an explanation of their anatomy or their marriage. They’ve spent their lives being treated like a medical curiosity, and it’s clear they’re done with that. They want to be seen as the teachers, the wives, and the sisters they are, not just a headline.
What's Next for the Hensel Sisters?
So, what should you take away from all this?
First, stop expecting them to act like "celebrities." They don't want the spotlight. They want to teach their students and go home to their family in Minnesota.
Second, if you're looking for an update on their health, they seem to be doing great. While dicephalic parapagus twins rarely survive into adulthood, Abby and Brittany are in their mid-30s and thriving. They’ve defied every medical statistic thrown at them since 1990.
If you want to support them, the best thing you can do is respect their boundaries. They share what they want to share on their own terms. Whether they’re navigating motherhood or just trying to get through a week of parent-teacher conferences, they’re doing it together—the same way they’ve done everything else.
Actionable Insights:
- Respect Digital Privacy: When seeing viral photos of public figures like the Hensels, remember that "public" doesn't mean "open for harassment."
- Challenge Your Assumptions: The Hensels' ability to teach, drive, and marry shows that physical "norms" aren't the only way to live a full life.
- Support Inclusive Education: The twins' career is a reminder that diverse educators provide invaluable perspectives in the classroom.