Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were just nine months old when they landed the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House, alternating scenes because they were too young to handle a full shoot alone. The production team even tried to hide that it was two babies sharing the part, initially crediting the character to a single name, “Mary-Kate Ashley Olsen.”
By age six, the twins had already founded their own production company. Before they turned 10, they were the youngest self-made millionaires in the United States. But looking back, Mary-Kate has been honest about what that childhood actually felt like.
“I look at old photos of me, and I don’t feel connected to them at all. I would never wish my upbringing on anyone,” she told Marie Claire, describing herself and Ashley as “little monkey performers.”
In 2004, after nearly 30 films together, the twins made a decision that shocked fans everywhere, walking away from acting entirely to build their own fashion label instead.
“We’ve been there, we’ve done that, we started out that way. But this is the way we chose to move forward in our lives, to not be in the spotlight, to really have something that speaks for itself,” Mary-Kate told British Vogue.
The years since haven’t always been easy. Mary-Kate has spoken openly about her past struggles with an eating disorder, something she’s said became easier once she allowed herself to talk about it.
“I think it’s really important to be able to talk when something’s wrong. I learned at a really young age that if you don’t talk about it, it can drive you insane,” she said.
Today, both sisters run their acclaimed fashion house, The Row, largely out of the public eye, rarely giving interviews and keeping their private lives exactly that. But no matter the distance, their bond has never changed.
“Our bond is really beyond words. I know when she’s hurting, I know when she’s going through something,” Ashley said. “I know when she’s happy, whether I’m with her or not, I know.”
From toddlers sharing one role to two of fashion’s most private powerhouses, some sisters really do share more than just a birthday. 👯♀️
