After Lori lost her virginity to her second boyfriend at 23, George said he was able to ‘act like I’m not even there’ while she was with a partner.

Lori became engaged at one point, but tragically lost her fiancé in a car accident.

Speaking about the loss, she said: “George looked after me. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I could have lived through the heartbreak.”

George and Lori lived to the age of 62, surpassing all expectations of medics when they were born.

Lori and George Schappell have died aged 62. (Jemal Countess/WireImage for PMK / HBH)

At the time, many medics did not think that the twins would live to see their 30th birthday.

In 2007, George came out as a trans man.

He said: “I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy.

“I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden – even from Lori – for many years.”

He added: “It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn’t want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted.”

Lori was supportive of her brother, saying: “Obviously it was a shock when Dori changed to George, but I am so proud of him.”