Ann Landers and Dear Abby: Twins with Double Birth Orders

Esther Lederer - Ann Landers

                                      

Pauline Phillips - Abigail Van Buren

This is the life of two twin sisters who both pursued the same 

path, that of advice columnists.   Although twins there were 

differences.  With every set of twins,  one assumes the higher 

birth order.  In their case it was Esther, known as Eppie, that 

was 17 minutes older.

Family Birth Order Diagram

This is the family diagram and their birth orders.

Helen                                           1911             #1

Dorothy                                       1913             #2

            5 year space

Esther (Eppie) Pauline              1918          #3/1

           17 minutes

Pauline (Popo) Esther              1918          #3/2

Third Borns

Both girls were the third birth so they share Third born

characteristics.  These include the ability to understand

people and size up situations involving people with almost

a psychic ability.  They tend to be intuitive and care most about

the human condition, but can also be artistic and theatrical.

Emotionally they show a happy face to the world but can cover

up their more sensitive side privately.

First Borns

Esther (Ann Landers) carries the first born characteristics with

her third born birth order. The firstborn wants to keep the

throne and will try to be the first and best in everything they

do.  They like to wield power over others and at times can be

caustic in their attempt to get their point across. Failure is not

an option so life can be difficult trying to please others and be

perfect. They feel they have the “right” answers.

Second Borns

Pauline (Dear Abby) carries the Second born characteristics with

her Third born birth order.  The Second born does not like to be

told what to do.  They are not as driven as the Firstborn but know

their weak spots and love to point out to them they are not

perfect. They are more light hearted and social as they don’t take

things as personally.

Sibling Disaffection

With the twins having Double birth orders they switch between

the same birth order #3, and their other birth orders a #1 and #2.

When they are both acting like 3’s they are full of love for each

other. When they are acting like #1’s and #2’s they are rival siblings. 

Sibling rivalry is usually strongest between the first and second

children.  In their case they were the first and second children in

the second family. The five year gap between the twins and their

older siblings created the Double birth order.  During their early

life they were inseparable, both primarily showing the number

3 birth order characteristics. They wrote an advice column in

college and even had a double wedding ceremony.

Their Marriages

Esther dumped her fiancé and two weeks later married the

 millinery salesman who she met while shopping for her veil.

Her marriage to Jules Lederer founder of Budget Rent -A -Car

lasted 36 years but ended in divorce. He admitted having an

affair. Pauline told Esther it was her fault which didn’t help

the sister relationship. This would have been typical for a

number Two to aggravate the older sibling.

Pauline married Morton Phillips heir to the family liquor

business. Esther felt betrayed when Pauline created her own

advice column just  months  after she continued the Ann

Landers column.  They would fuel the competitive drive

the rest of their lives.

  

Their Different Styles

Pauline’s column answers  were more friendly then Esther’s,

who was more abrupt. She resented Pauline’s financial

success although both sisters were very successful. Pauline

seemed to have a more personal attachment to her readers.

Twins with Double Birth Orders

Here was an interesting example of Twins that ended up with

double birth orders.  The combination of birth orders, a

double birth order, creates a more complicated person.  These

two women though alike in many ways, exemplify the extreme

differences birth orders can create.

Let me hear from you if you have any twins in your family?

For more information about Double Birth Orders my book,

Lifes Fingerprint: How Birth Order Affects Your Path Throughout

Life;  offers a detailed examination of the dynamics of birth order,

available as hard copy or e-book.  For more information, plus

videos and blogs, visit my web site  www.mybirthorder.com  

by Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst