The Silent Twins: The Enigmatic Lives of June and Jennifer Gibbons

June and Jennifer Gibbons, born on April 11, 1963, in Aden, Yemen, were identical twins who became known as "The Silent Twins" due to their selective mutism. Raised in Wales by Barbadian immigrant parents, the twins faced social isolation and bullying, leading them to retreat into a private world where they communicated exclusively with each other in a unique language.

Their intense bond and refusal to speak to others puzzled many. Despite their silence, they expressed themselves through writing, creating imaginative stories and novels. One of June's works, The Pepsi-Cola Addict, was published during their teenage years.

In the early 1980s, their behavior turned rebellious, involving petty crimes and arson. Consequently, they were committed to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, where they spent 11 years. During this time, they continued to write and were visited by journalist Marjorie Wallace, who documented their story in her book The Silent Twins.

Tragically, shortly after their release in 1993, Jennifer died of acute myocarditis at the age of 29. Following her sister's death, June began to speak to others and has since lived a relatively quiet life.

Their story has been the subject of various media, including the 2022 film The Silent Twins, directed by Agnieszka Smoczyńska and starring Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance .