The Benhaffaf brothers were born conjoined from chest to pelvis, sharing a liver, gut and bladder
17:54, 27 Nov 2025
Angie Benhaffaf, Lidl Family Carer of the Year, and her twin sons Hassan and Hussein(Image: Stedman Photography)
A Cork mum of conjoined twins who doctors said were highly unlikely to survive their birth – almost 16 years ago – has been crowned Family Carer of the Year 2025.
Angie Benhaffaf from Carrigtwohill was awarded at a special ceremony in Dublin today. It comes after a long journey for the Cork mum, which began when she made international headlines alongside her two kids, Hassan and Hussein, on December 2nd, 2009. On that day, her twin sons were born conjoined from chest to pelvis, sharing a liver, gut and bladder with a combined weight of seven pounds.
The Cork mum had been told since her twelve-week scan that it was unlikely either would survive, and she might not live through the pregnancy. Despite the odds however, she refused to give up on her sons and devoted herself to doing the best for her kids, no matter what happened. Four months after their birth, Hassan and Hussein were successfully separated in a gruelling 14-hour surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London that required 20 staff.
Angie and her two sons Hassan and Hussein
Since then, they have faced a number of medical challenges, including 75 surgeries to date – but mom Angie has always been right by their sides, often spending weeks and months in hospitals far from home with them. Despite their health difficulties however, the twins have lived very active lives and have won a number of awards representing Ireland as para-athletes.
Angie – who also has two adult daughters, Malika and Iman – was crowned winner of Cork Carer of the Year last month. At the time, the organisers praised her for “always making room for joy” in their family, regardless of what they are facing. They said: “She creates special moments for her daughters and has taught her sons to see their challenges as possibilities rather than limits. She calls Hassan and Hussein “a gift” and has raised them to believe they can do anything they set their minds to.
“Thanks to her support, they have become outstanding para athletes, representing Ireland and winning medals in wheelchair basketball and athletics.”
Alongside caring for her family, Angie has also raised over €105,000 for children’s charities through her annual Cork Wears Red Annual Charity Lunch.
Hassan Benhaffaf pictured competing in the javelin event at the National Junior Athletic Championships in Coventry in 2023(Image: Activity Alliance)
Organisers of Lidl’s Carer of the Year award credited Angie for “extraordinary resilience” when awarding her the trophy today. Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy with Family Carers Ireland, said: “Angie’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, unconditional love and unwavering commitment. What stands out is not only the complexity of the care she provides, but the warmth, positivity and sense of possibility she brings to every day. She has faced some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable and yet has created a family life filled with joy, hope and strength.
“Angie represents thousands of family carers across Ireland who quietly keep families together and make it possible for loved ones with additional care needs to remain at home. Her story is a powerful reminder that family carers must be fully recognised and supported for the vital role they play. They are an essential part of Ireland’s health system and deserve the resources, services and respect that reflect their immense contribution to society.”
Her big win was also praised by President of the Little Island Business Association Michael Mulcahy on social media, who wrote: “Huge congratulations to the fantastic Angie Red who has been named Carer of the Year 2025 by Family Carers Ireland at a ceremony in Dublin today. Angie received the award for her “extraordinary resilience”, with the organisation saying her story was a “powerful reminder” that family carers must be fully recognised and supported for the “vital role they play”.
Conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf underwent a 14 hour operation to separate them(Image: ITV)
It comes at a very special time for the Benhaffaf family, as both Hassan and Hussein will celebrate their 16th birthdays in just 5 days on Tuesday.
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