Behind the scenes of the freak show, lived souls yearning for love, warmth, and respect. Escaping exploitation, the sisters briefly tasted freedom, experienced the joy of creativity, and gained recognition. However, past traumas left deep scars, and their lives ended tragically. Zoomboola.com invites you to read the dramatic life story of the two sisters.
Career Beginnings
In 1908, unusual twins Daisy and Violet Hilton were born in Brighton. Their mother, a single bartender, rejected the girls. Joined at the pelvis, the sisters shared a circulatory system. No one attempted to separate them, as it could have led to the death of one of the sisters.The owner of the bar where their mother worked saw a money-making opportunity in the twins and bought them. Their new guardian, Mary, immediately began exploiting the sisters. They were exhibited to the public for money and later sent on tour to fairs.
Mary taught the girls music and dance. At eight years old, they were brought to America, where they spent the rest of their lives. The relationship with their guardian was harsh: for the slightest mistake, the sisters were severely punished.
The Death of Mary and Liberation
After Mary passed away, the sisters' lives turned into a living hell under the control of their new guardians – Mary's daughter, Edith, and her husband, a former balloon salesman.The couple completely dominated the young performers' lives. Endless exhausting tours across the country, leading to fainting, became their harsh reality. The slightest mistake resulted in brutal punishment. The husband, who didn't shy away from physical abuse, kept the girls in constant fear, threatening to send them to a mental institution.
The turning point came when the girls turned 23. Thanks to a fateful meeting with the great magician Harry Houdini, they managed to escape their tyrants. The illusionist opened their eyes to their true situation, prompting the sisters to fight for their freedom (he attended one of their performances, allowing him to speak with the girls).
As a result of the court case, the Hiltons received not only substantial compensation but, more importantly, the long-awaited independence.
Questionable Love and Childbirth
Daisy and Violet tried to maintain the appearance of a normal life despite their uniqueness. During romantic dates, as their friend recounted, the sisters behaved as if nothing unusual was happening. While one spent time with a suitor, the other secluded herself with a book, pretending not to notice what was going on.Despite the difficulties, they built a successful career in vaudeville and burlesque. In 1932, they even starred in the film "Freaks," directed by Tod Browning, which tells the story of a traveling circus troupe.
Daisy also tried to find marital happiness. According to some reports, she had an affair that resulted in pregnancy, but she decided to give up the child.
The End of a Career
In the following years, Daisy and Violet faced serious financial difficulties. After the collapse of their hot dog stand (which they ran for a short time), the sisters found themselves in dire straits in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The twins worked in the store for many years, enduring the curiosity of young customers who tried to peek under their dresses. The annoyed girls would shoo away the pesky kids by slapping their hands.
Despite life's hardships, Daisy and Violet remained inseparable, rejecting any attempts to separate them or subject them to study. They learned to solve all problems peacefully and together.
Death
In January 1969, the Siamese twins did not show up for work for the first time. Worried about their sudden disappearance, Charles Read, who had become their friend, tried to contact the sisters but failed.It turned out that both sisters had come down with the Hong Kong flu—a treacherous illness, especially dangerous for women their age. Read worried about them, calling them daily, but they often ignored his calls to avoid causing concern.
One January day, unable to reach the sisters, a worried Read hurried to their home. The silence in the house and the locked door prompted him to call the police. A horrifying scene awaited them: Daisy and Violet were found dead near a ventilation duct. Apparently, trying to warm up, they had crawled to the heat source and died there.
The autopsy revealed that Violet survived her sister by a few days but, weakened by illness, could not call for help. The sisters were buried in the same coffin, united forever in their final resting place.
Outside Perspective
Internet users remain keenly interested in the story of Siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Many regret that the medicine of the last century did not allow the sisters to live separately. Others think their fate could make an excellent movie script.Readers feel sympathy for the sisters' difficult lives, realizing that their own problems pale in comparison to such challenging trials.
People also note the tragedy of loneliness that befell the twins: deprived of a full circle of communication, the sisters found comfort and support only in each other.
