Ronnie and Donnie Galyon facts for kids

Ronald Lee Galyon and Donald Lee Galyon (born October 28, 1951 – died July 4, 2020) were conjoined twins. This means they were born physically connected to each other.

According to the 2009 Guinness World Records, Ronnie and Donnie were the oldest living conjoined twins in the world. On October 29, 2014, they broke another record. They became the longest-lived conjoined twins in history. They lived longer than the previous record holders, Chang and Eng Bunker.

Early Life and Unique Start

Ronnie and Donnie were born in Dayton, Ohio, on October 28, 1951. Their parents were Wesley and Eileen Galyon. Their mother, Eileen, did not know she was having twins.

The brothers were joined from their chest (sternum) down to their groin. They shared some internal organs. Doctors tried to separate them, but after two years in the hospital, it was clear it wasn't safe.

Local schools decided the twins would be too much of a distraction. Because of this, Ronnie and Donnie did not go to school. This meant they never learned to read or write well.

Life as Performers

Wesley, their father, had nine children to support. He decided to take the twins on the road. They became a sideshow attraction. They traveled and performed in shows across the United States. Later, they also performed in Latin America and Canada.

Their tours made them famous. It also gave them money to help support their large family.

Later Years and Retirement

In 1991, after 30 years of performing, Ronnie and Donnie retired. They moved into their own home in Dayton, Ohio. They bought the house with the money they earned from their shows.

They lived a mostly normal life. They used a special double wheelchair to get around. Even after retiring, the twins appeared on many TV shows. They were on The Jerry Springer Show in 1997. They also appeared in a Discovery Channel documentary in 1998. A Channel Five documentary featured them in 2009.

In 2009, Ronnie got a serious lung infection. This was dangerous for both twins. After they were in the hospital, they needed care all the time. Their younger brother, Jim, and his wife, Mary, lived nearby. Their home wasn't set up for people with disabilities.

However, many people in their community helped. They donated money and volunteered their time. They built a special addition to Jim and Mary's home. On December 22, 2010, TLC showed a program about them. It was called "The World's Oldest Conjoined Twins Move Home." It showed how the addition was built. It also showed the twins getting better and returning home.

Passing Away

Ronnie and Donnie passed away on July 4, 2020. They died from heart failure. They were in a hospice, surrounded by their family, in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio.

See also

In Spanish: Ronnie y Donnie Galyon para niños