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Despite sharing part of their brain and being attached at the head, one twin kept a huge secret from the other for most of their lives.

Twins Lori and George Schappell had a partially fused skulls and shared vital blood vessels, as well as 30 percent of their brains.

They defied all medics predictions they wouldn't live past 30-years-old, and they held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living conjoined twins since 2022.

Living normal lives, with hobbies, living alone and being in relationships, George had been keeping a huge secret from Lori. The twins were both originally assigned as female at birth, yet George, who was initially named Dori, came out as a trans man in 2007. He changed his name to David and was finally able to live as his true gender identity feeling like the man he was truly meant to be.

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George told The Sun in 2010: "I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy. I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden - even from Lori - for many years. It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn't want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted."

Lori said it was a "shock" when George first told her how he felt, but then quickly said she was "so proud" of her brother when he revealed the truth to her. Lori gushed: "It was a huge decision but we have overcome so much in our lives and together we are such a strong team. Nothing can break that."

Despite being conjoined, the pair managed to live pretty normal lives. Lori went on to become a champion ten-pin bowler and George performed as a country singer. "Most people don't believe us but we do have very normal lives. We travel, tidy our flat and Lori has even had a boyfriend. Nothing stops us doing what we want," George explained.

They moved out at 21, and lived in a two-bedroom flat - and sleeping in each others rooms on alternate nights. Lori said her room was "girly" and reflects her personality, while George had decked his out with music posters.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1961, the twins lived until they were 62, passing away on April 7, 2024.

In 1997, the twins were asked in a documentary if they would ever be separated, to which George simply replied: "Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?"

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