The recent revelation of conjoined twin Abby Hensel’s marriage to Army veteran Joshua Bowling has been quickly followed by unexpected legal turmoil. Bowling, who secretly wed Abby in 2021, is now facing a paternity lawsuit filed by his ex-wife, casting a shadow over what should be a joyous new chapter for the Hensel sisters. This unfolding situation has sparked significant public interest and scrutiny, prompting questions about the personal lives of Abby and Brittany Hensel, who have been in the public eye since childhood.
The paternity suit was initiated in October 2023 by Annica Bowling, Joshua’s former wife, and names both Joshua Bowling and another individual, Gavin Vatnsdal, as respondents. Filed in a Minnesota court, the lawsuit’s details remain largely private, but court records indicate a “genetic test report” was added to the case file on March 7, 2024. The specifics of this report are not publicly accessible, intensifying speculation surrounding the case.
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The twins, holding a bouquet, and Joshua Bowling smile on their wedding day.](Abby and Brittany Hensel wedding day with Joshua Bowling, smiling and holding bouquet.)
Joshua Bowling and Annica Bowling were married in 2010 and share an eight-year-old daughter, Isabella. Court documents confirm that Isabella is their only joint child from their marriage, and they share joint custody. The couple separated in April 2019, and Annica later had another daughter in late 2020, who is now three years old. While court documents do not explicitly state which child’s paternity is being contested, it appears plausible that the lawsuit concerns Annica’s younger daughter, born after her separation from Joshua but potentially conceived during their marriage or shortly after. In their 2022 divorce papers, Annica and Joshua referred to this younger daughter as “Isabella’s half-sister.”
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Joshua Bowling and a pregnant Annica stand behind.a cake and smile](Annica Bowling pregnant with Joshua Bowling standing behind a cake smiling, during their marriage.)
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Joshua Bowling, Abby Hensel, and Brittany Hensel maintain a visible and seemingly close relationship with Isabella. Isabella was present at Abby and Joshua’s wedding and frequently appears in social media photos alongside both sides of her family. Images circulating online depict Abby and Brittany sharing affectionate moments with Isabella, highlighting the blended family dynamic.
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Annica holds balloons and wears a t-shirt that reads](Annica Bowling holding balloons and wearing a t-shirt, celebrating her daughter Isabella’s birthday.)
The news of Abby Hensel’s marriage to Joshua Bowling only recently became public knowledge, despite the ceremony taking place in November 2021. Following the public revelation and subsequent media attention surrounding the paternity suit, Abby and Brittany addressed the heightened online interest through their TikTok account. In one video captioned “The internet is extra LOUD today,” they shared a montage of photos set to the song “Real Love Baby,” accompanied by the words, “We have always been around ❤️#abbyandbrittanyhensel #happy #love #lovestory #marriage.” A second TikTok video, titled “#forever,” featured a photo of the twins embracing Joshua, with a voiceover message directed at critics, asserting their resilience to negativity.
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A man and woman dancing at a wedding, identified as conjoined twins Abby Hensel and army veteran Joshua Bowling](Abby Hensel and Joshua Bowling dancing at their wedding reception, as conjoined twins.)
Abby and Brittany Hensel gained initial public recognition in 1996 with an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where they discussed life as dicephalus conjoined twins. Their unique life journey further unfolded in the 2012 TLC reality series, “Abby & Brittany,” which offered a glimpse into their daily experiences and aspirations. Born in Minnesota, the twins have consistently defied expectations and societal norms. They share a single body, bloodstream, and organs below the waist, with Abby controlling the right side and Brittany the left. Doctors deemed separation surgery too risky at birth, a decision supported by their parents, Patty and Mike Hensel, who prioritized the twins’ well-being and encouraged them to pursue their dreams without limitations.
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Abby and Brittany Hensel wear a pale blue dress and smile with their arms around Joshua, in a navy blue jacket.](Abby and Brittany Hensel smiling with Joshua Bowling, wearing a blue dress and navy jacket.)
Despite facing lifelong public curiosity, Abby and Brittany have lived remarkably full lives. In a past documentary, they expressed their desire to become mothers in the future, indicating their aspirations for a traditional family life despite their unique circumstances. The unfolding paternity suit against Joshua Bowling introduces an unexpected layer of complexity to Abby Hensel’s newly established marriage and the public perception of their family life. While the legal proceedings continue, the situation serves as a reminder of the intensely personal challenges that can unfold even amidst public figures who have long shared their lives with the world.
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