#thehiltonsisters

[generallygothic]

Born fused together at the pelvis in Brighton, England, in 1908, Daisy and Violet Hilton were the first documented conjoined twins to survive beyond a few weeks (in the UK). Raised by their single mother's abusive employer, Mary Hilton, they began touring and performing aged 3. On Mary's death, the sisters were passed into the care of the former's own daughter, who continued her family's tradition of exploitation and abuse, now in the USA. In 1931 Daisy and Violet finally gained their freedom, entertaining in first vaudeville then burlesque circuits, and eventually becoming two-time stars of the silver screen ('Freaks', 1931 and 'Chained for Life', 1952). Over the decades, interest dried up until eventually their tour manager abandoned them, penniless, following their final performance at a North Carolina drive-in cinema in 1961. With no choice but to remain in North Carolina, the Hilton sisters lived out their days as a greengrocer's assistants. 8 years after their last public appearance, the twins were found dead in their home having failed to show up for work. Daisy is believed to have succumbed to the Hong Kong flu first, following by Violet up to 4 days later. Last week, 100% of you voted for the sisters to be featured on Generally Gothic today - through this profile their legacy continues. 📆: Each Friday whilst the 🎪Circus of Horrors🎪 is here throughout June, a different historical 'Freak Show' performer will be profiled. 👉: Head to stories to vote for who you'd like to read about next Friday. 📸: Daisy and Violet Hilton, via Wiki Commons. . #generallygothic #gothic #circusofhorrors #circus #circusisintown #thecircusisintown #daisyandviolet #daisyandviolethilton #thehiltonsisters #conjoinedtwins #siamesetwins #circusfreaks #freaks #freaks1931 #circusperformer #disability #abuse #exploitation #profile #chainedforlife #vaudeville #burlesque #sideshow #freakshow #blackandwhitephotography #northcarolina #poverty #circushistory #bigtop #academic https://www.instagram.com/p/Byt45W9ACM8/?igshid=1th3cjl1v80d3

[happilyawaitingtheapocalypse]

A night at the theater with @quaintfromspace. Side Show! #theatre #sideshow #musical #freaks #thehiltonsisters (at 3 D Theatricals at Plummer!)

[inspire-sita]

#Beyonce #theHiltonsisters #hollywoodlife

[gwydtheunusual]

Carny: I went out with twins last night... Rube: Did you get lucky? Carny: Yes and no... Pictured above are Daisy and Violet Hilton. Conjoined sideshow performers in the 1930's. Not content to simply display their differences, they did a musical act. One would play an instrument while the other sang or danced.  Unfortunately, in those days, they were pretty much "owned" by the people that ran their show. In 1931 they actually sued the sideshow they were with and won their freedom. They then went on to work vaudeville and appear in several movies on their own terms.  As a modern sideshow performer, I have looked into their lives (Along with dozens of other "freaks" that were in the business.)- They had it very rough. Nowadays things are a lot different. You will still find differently abled people on shows...and a good percentage of the time, they are the owners.