A MEMS differential pressure sensing element is provided by two separate silicon dies attached to opposite sides of a silicon or glass spacer. The spacer is hollow. If the spacer is silicon, the dies are preferably attached to the hollow spacer using silicon-to-silicon bonding provided in part by silicon oxide layers. If the spacer is glass, the dies can be attached to the hollow spacer using anodic bonding. Conductive vias extend through the layers and provide electrical connections between Wheatstone bridge circuits formed from piezoresistors in the silicon dies.