Chang and Eng Bunker Conjoined twins Date of Birth: 11.05.1811 Country: Thailand

1. Chang and Eng Bunker: The Siamese Twins
2. Early Show Performances
3. Settling Down in North Carolina
4. Return to Show Business and Final Years
5. Legacy

Chang and Eng Bunker: The Siamese Twins

Chang and Eng Bunker were conjoined twins who lived in the 19th century. They were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811. Their father was a Thai fisherman, while their mother was a Chinese-Malay woman. When the extraordinary twins were born, they caused a stir as they were conjoined at the chest. Locals believed that the twins were a curse from God and initially wanted to kill them. However, their mother refused, and the twins were allowed to live.

Early Show Performances

Chang and Eng, later known as the Siamese Twins, started their career in show business in 1829 when they became part of Robert Hunter's traveling show. They toured the world, showcasing their unique condition and earning money. After their contract ended, the Bunker brothers continued to perform independently. They undressed to their waist during their shows, demonstrating to the audience how they were conjoined. They also answered questions and even performed acrobatic acts for entertainment.

Settling Down in North Carolina

After realizing their fatigue from constantly showcasing themselves, the Bunker brothers decided to retire and settled in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. They purchased land and slaves and became planters. They named their plantation 'Bunker' and desired a normal and ordinary life. In 1843, both brothers married two sisters, Adelaide Yates, who became Chang's wife, and Sarah Anne Yates, who married Eng. It was rumored that their shared marital bedroom in Traphill had a bed for four. Both sisters became pregnant and gave birth to daughters, followed by additional births the following year. The growing family then moved to a larger house in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Return to Show Business and Final Years

During the Civil War, the Bunker brothers lost much of their wealth and had to return to the show business to support their large family. However, their advanced age and waning appeal made it difficult for them to captivate the fickle public. In their last years, Chang and Eng frequently argued, with Chang being particularly temperamental. When they sought surgery as a last resort, they were denied due to the extremely high risk involved. In modern times, separating Chang and Eng would have been relatively simple for doctors, but in the 19th century, medical advancements were not advanced enough. On January 17, 1874, Chang suffered a stroke, and when Eng woke up the next morning, he discovered his brother had died. Although Eng was believed to be healthy at that moment, he passed away three hours later.

Legacy

Chang and Eng Bunker, famously known as the Siamese Twins, passed away on the same day. They are remembered as the pioneers of conjoined twins in the entertainment industry and have left a lasting impact. The term "Siamese twins" is still used today to refer to conjoined twins, although it technically only applies to the Bunker brothers.