Identical Twin Spent Almost 100 Years Living Together, Now Seperates

Joan and Jessie Baker are inseparable twins they have spent nearly a century living together and leading identical lives.
The non-identical sisters, born 20 minutes apart, eat the same meals, have identical wardrobes and have lived together for more than nine decades.

But after 96 years leading mirror image lives, the twins have agreed to go it alone - by living in two flats five minutes away from each other.

Joan and Jessie have spent virtually their entire combined 192 years at the same school and working in the same job, as well as sharing the same flat.

Jessie, who now lives a short walk away from Joan in Pelsall, West Mids, said: ‘We've always liked being together. Now we couldn't ever change so we do the same thing.' 

The non-identical twins have lived in the same flat since the 1970s. (SWNS)

Despite being forced to work apart when Jessie found work in an office, they were soon back together for their 9 to 5 when they spent 15 years together as shop assistants at a chemist. 

By 1970 they'd moved into a flat which they've shared ever since.

Neither have married or had children and they even share their time outside of work down to identical hobbies by gardening and knitting together.

In their old age, they've had a carer, Mark Holowczak, who makes them identical meals and does their shopping following identical lists for each of them.

Even if Joan doesn't need something, she insists that her grocery shop matches Jessie's.

And if Joan gets a new jumper, Jessie insists that she buys the same too. 

Memories: The inseparable twins look back over their lives.

The twins have decided to live apart after 96 years leading the same life.

They also share a hairdresser who styles their locks in exactly the same way once every six weeks.

Jessie said: 'We love being as identical as we can be.

'We didn't get married because we wanted to stay together - we were too busy being twins. We've had a busy life.

'If someone asks me what I'd like from the shops, I don't need to think, I just ask: 'What's Jessie having? Get me the exact same thing'.'

Their only distinguishing characteristic is that Jessie is scared of the dentist.

Joan said: 'I would say she's the bossy one, and that she talks the most, but she would say the same about me.

'We've always just been called 'The Twins' – when we were younger we were always getting into mischief and it was 'The Terrible Twins'. 

'But Jessie is the best sister I could ask for - she's lively, funny and she's always there when I feel down.'