Gather ’round, ladies and gents, as we dive into the remarkable life of a woman who was no stranger to intimate conversations and breaking taboos—Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Yes, the legendary Dr. Ruth has bid us farewell at the splendid age of 96. Her publicist, Pierre Lehu, delivered the bittersweet news, sharing that he has served as her ‘Minister of Communications’ since 1981, a title that surely holds a story or two!
Her family chimed in, poignantly marking the end of an era. Dr. Ruth passed away peacefully in her New York City home on July 12th, surrounded by her loving family. Just over a month after celebrating her 96th birthday, she slipped away, leaving behind a legacy as the feisty and beloved voice of America on all things sex-related.
Dr. Ruth, whose petite frame belied her larger-than-life persona, was known for her sharp wit and no-nonsense advice on sex. Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Germany in 1928, she survived unthinkable adversity. Her early years were marked by the trauma of escaping the Nazis, only to later learn that her parents perished in the Holocaust. This hardship didn’t dim her spirit; instead, it ignited a life filled with purpose and resilience.
After the war, she moved to Palestine, where she joined the Haganah, actively participating in the fight for Israeli independence. Her quest for education and service then took her to Paris and eventually to New York. There, she obtained a master’s degree in sociology and a doctorate in education, proving there was no stopping this powerhouse of a woman. She trained as a sex therapist at the prestigious New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.
