Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the pioneering sex therapist who became a cultural icon for her frank and open discussions about sex and relationships, passed away on July 12, 2024, at her home in Manhattan. She was 96 years old.Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1928, Westheimer survived the Holocaust as a child refugee. Her journey took her through Switzerland, Israel (where she trained as a sniper for the Haganah), and France, before settling in the United States in the 1950s.Dr. Ruth rose to prominence in the 1980s with her radio show ‘Sexually Speaking,’ which quickly gained popularity for its candid approach to discussing sex and relationships. This success led to numerous television appearances, including her own show ‘The Dr. Ruth Show,’ as well as frequent guest spots on late-night talk shows.Throughout her career, Dr. Ruth authored over 40 books on sex and relationships, including bestsellers like ‘Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Good Sex’ and ‘Sex for Dummies’. Her work helped normalize conversations about sex and pleasure, making her a household name and a pop culture icon.Dr. Ruth was a strong advocate for sexual education, LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, and family planning. She remained active in her later years, maintaining a large social media following and being named New York’s honorary ambassador to loneliness in November 2023.Westheimer’s influence extended beyond her public persona. Anka Radakovich, a sex columnist, praised her for ‘taking the shame out of sex’ and inspiring a new generation of women to enter the field of sex therapy.Dr. Ruth is survived by her two children and four grandchildren. Her passing marks the end of an era in sex education and therapy, but her legacy of promoting open, honest, and positive discussions about sex and relationships will undoubtedly continue to influence future generations.
Key points
- Dr.
- She rose to fame in the 1980s with her radio show ‘Sexually Speaking’ and wrote over 40 books on sex and relationships.
- Dr.
- She remained active until her later years, being named New York’s honorary ambassador to loneliness in 2023.
Ruth Westheimer, renowned sex therapist and media personality, passed away at 96.
Ruth was a Holocaust survivor who became an advocate for sexual education, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion rights.
Contradictions👾There is a slight discrepancy in the number of books Dr.
Ruth authored, with some sources citing ‘over 40’ while others mention ‘over 60’.
