Dr. Ruth Westheimer, pioneering sex therapist and TV talk show host, dies at age 96

Ruth Westheimer, better known as Dr. Rutha pioneer of the American sexual revolution, has died at the age of 96. Spokesman Pierre Lehu announced her death, first reported by New York Times on July 13. Westheimer died on Friday, July 12, at her home in Manhattan.

Dr. Ruth rose to prominence in the 1980s through live call-in shows on radio and television. At the age of 52, she began her late career at a New York radio station with a show called Sexually speaking. However, it was not long before she was writing columns for Playgirlmade commercials and cameos in films, and like most celebrities in the ’80s, Ruth’s likeness later appeared in board games, computer games, self-help books and more, where she addressed the subject of sexuality in a very matter-of-fact way that had rarely been seen before. Such strength and openness may seem unlikely from someone of small stature, but Dr. Ruth’s path was rooted in strength.

Who was Dr. Ruth?

Karola Ruth Siegel was born on June 4, 1928 in Wiesenfeld, Germany. Tragically, she lost her entire family in World War II. Her father was abducted by the Nazis in 1938. After the war, she emigrated to Palestine in 1945. In Palestine, she trained as a sniper for the Israeli army. She then studied psychology at the Sorbonne in Paris and was married twice before meeting Manfred Westheimer in 1961. They were married for 36 years until he died in 1997. Dr. Ruth described her third marriage as her “real marriage.”

Ruth continued her education and did postdoctoral research on human sexuality. She later worked at Planned Parenthood, where she educated and trained family planning counselors. In 1985, shortly after the debut of a show called Good sex! Westheimer spoke about her Lifetime series in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. She said only that it would deal with the subject of sexual relationships; she was blunt about her stance and her direct approach to the subject. You can read her full quote below:

Well, they don’t turn it on to get aroused. At 4’7 and 57, I’m not a sex symbol. I’m well-trained. I don’t beat around the bush, I use the right terminology. I’m a little bold.

Highlights and awards in Dr. Ruth’s career

Dr. Ruth was a regular guest on late-night and daytime talk shows throughout her career. David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Howard Stern, Rachael Ray, Jimmy Kimmel and Arsenio Hall, among others, had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Ruth. In her later years, Westheimer continued to teach and publish books. In 2004, she received an honorary doctorate from Trinity College and the Medal for Distinguished Service from Teachers College, Columbia University. A documentary about her life, Ask Dr. Ruthhad its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Ryan White, the film’s director, praised its story and how it intersects with important events in the world:

She is involved in so many important parts of world history that I don’t know if there is another living person who has such a remarkable story.

She leaves behind her two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren. MovieWeb extends its condolences to Dr. Ruth’s family, friends and fans.