The World's Longest Living Conjoined Twins Celebrate 63rd Birthday

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon are now the world’s longest living conjoined twins, celebrate their 63rd birthday at Disney World and Busch Gardens.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon, world’s longest living conjoined twins.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon (born October 28, 1951) are two American conjoined twins. According to the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records, the Galyons are the oldest living set of conjoined twins in the world, and, as of 5 July 2014, are considered to be the longest-lived conjoined twins in history.

They out lived the former record held for more than seven decades by Giacomo and Giovanni Battista Tocci, who were born in Italy in 1877 and lived to be 63.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon are joined at the waist and face each other and have four arms, four legs and separate hearts and stomachs

They share a lower digestive tract, a groin, a rectum and penis, over which Donnie has control.

The Galyon brothers spent the birthday visiting Disney World and Busch Gardens, MLive.com reported.

At Christmas, there was a tree and plenty of presents in the living room of the house Ronnie and Donnie share with their brother Jim and his wife, Mary.

'We have a lot to be grateful for,' Jim said. 'They are really healthy.'

The twins are yet to receive their official certificate from the Guinness World Records confirming they're the longest-living conjoined twins in history. But they're living as if they're already first place. 

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon growing up as one

Relatives say Ronnie and Donnie, veterans of the circus and carnivals, are enjoying their time in the spotlight.

'It's a lifelong dream, and they are absolutely loving it,' their brother, Jim Galyon, told MLive.com.

Jim Galyon took the twins to Florida as their birthday gift.

'While they could still get out, I said, 'Guys, let's go ahead and make the trek this year,' he added.

 In 2009, Ronnie suffered a life-threatening viral infection that caused blood clots in his lungs, which quickly endangered both twins.  After their hospitalization, they required round-the-clock care and Jim wanted them to move in with him, but his home was not handicapped-accessible.

A family friend contacted the Christian Youth Corps, which helped furnished the house for the twins' needs, including a kitchen, wife hallways, oversized bathroom and shower.

They also received a custom-designed bed from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which Ronnie said allowed him to 'sleep like a baby'.  

Early Childhood

The twins were born healthy in Dayton, Ohio, in October 1951 but stayed in the hospital until their second birthday in 1953 while doctors tried to figure out how to separate them. When the split seemed dangerous, their parents decided they should stay as they were

The men agree that was the best decision.

'The good Lord made us,' Ronnie has said. 'Let our savior do it.'