Teenage catwalk star twins described as 'living corpses' have made a remarkable recovery after five weeks in the hospital, it was revealed today. The Russian child stars raised acute concern last year after they were 'ordered to lose weight' by their modelling school. Latest pictures show Masha and Dasha Ledeneva, who had been described as anorexic, looking far healthier.
The girls turned 15 in the hospital where they also spend the festive period. They thanked prominent Russian campaigner Marina Kokhno who went public with their case in a bid to secure them emergency treatment for saving them. In early December doctors said their hearts were in danger after their dramatic weight loss leaving them as 'skin and bones'.The teenagers were rushed to hospital after a highly disturbing appearance on a Moscow talk show.
But now Kokhno who herself overcame anorexia in the past - has posted on Instagram: 'A miracle happened the day before yesterday - the twins were discharged from hospital. 'All of you remember in what a grave state the girls were when we brought them to Moscow and they were diagnosed with anorexia.' Today we all sat together in Chaihona (restaurant) having a pizza.' They were now ready for 'a new happy and healthy chapter of their lives', she said, not giving details of their treatment in a top Moscow hospital. Dasha who five weeks ago was especially weak and had reduced in weight to 36.8 kilograms or 5 stone 11lbs thanked Kokhno, saying: 'You have supported us in difficult times.' This experience showed us how to love life and who are our real friends are.
'I want to say huge thanks to (Maria Kokhno) you are the best. We feel great.' Her twin Masha also thanked Kokhno, a Russian reality show star turned campaigner for teenage health saying the pair had overcome a 'hard time'.In an excruciating moment on the TV show last month Dasha admitted she 'feared to put on extra weight', while the pair also paraded in bikinis. They were asked: 'Do you fear you can die?' The girls remained silent hanging their heads.
Presenter Lera Kudryavtseva said: 'So they are not afraid of dying. They are afraid of putting on weight. This is the problem of anorexia.' Oskar Kuchera, a presenter on state-run Russian channel NTV, told viewers: 'This is what is said about them (they are) only skin and bone. 'Trying to become more beautiful, they didn't notice the moment when they turned into living skeletons. The attractive long-legged twin sisters were catwalk stars at the age of 14.'Today they are barely standing on their feet. They don't have enough strength to keep their heads up.' Dasha had earlier collapsed minutes after being on the catwalk at the Moscow Fashion Show. The pair told of pressure to lose weight if they wanted to be successful catwalk stars. Masha said they had been told to 'lose a couple of kilos each' when they weighed 50 kg (7 stone 12 lbs) or more .' I was told to lose a couple of kilos down to Dasha's (weight),' she said.' And Dasha just did not want to be in the same weight as me, she wanted to be slimmer.' Dasha, gazing at the floor and with a weak, childlike voice said: 'I thought that if Masha was losing weight, I should do the same too.' The presenter said: 'Their catwalk is now between the bed and the toilet.' The girls' mother Natalia blamed the head of their modelling school and agency for pressing the teenagers to lose weight. Modelling boss Elena Tesmenitskaya admitted Masha and Dasha were in 'grave' conditions and said she had raised money for their medical condition. But she denied being responsible for their plight. Natalia said she and her husband had to 'carry the girls into hospital' on one occasion.
