Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the iconic sex therapist, talk show host, and author, has died at the age of 96. Known for her candid and open discussions about sex, Dr. Ruth revolutionized the way America talked about intimacy and relationships.
Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor, passed away peacefully at her home in New York City on Friday, surrounded by her family. Her longtime publicist, Pierre Lehu, confirmed her death but did not disclose the cause.
Dr. Ruth’s journey from surviving the horrors of the Holocaust to becoming a household name in the United States is nothing short of remarkable. Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Germany in 1928, she was sent to Switzerland at the age of 10 to escape Nazi persecution. She later moved to Israel, where she served as a sniper for the Haganah during the Israeli War of Independence.
Her academic pursuits brought her to the United States, where she earned a doctorate in education. Dr. Ruth’s approachable and humorous style made her a beloved figure on radio and television, where she provided frank and compassionate advice on sex and relationships. Her groundbreaking show, “Sexually Speaking,” and her numerous books helped countless individuals and couples navigate the complexities of their intimate lives.
Dr. Ruth’s legacy as a pioneer in sex education and her impact on public discourse about sexuality will be remembered for generations.