Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the renowned sex and relationship expert, has passed away at the age of 96. Known as Dr. Ruth, she captivated audiences around the world with her candid advice and charming personality. Her spokesman, Pierre Lehu, confirmed that she died at her home in New York. Dr. Ruth’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. Born in Germany in 1928, she survived World War II and narrowly escaped the horrors of the Holocaust by moving to the United States as a teenager.
A Trailblazing Career
In the 1980s, Dr. Ruth started her career by answering questions about sex and relationships on a radio show. At the time, it was a groundbreaking concept. She was in her 50s and her honest approach to such intimate topics resonated with listeners all over the world. Dr. Ruth’s expertise extended beyond the airwaves. She authored over 40 books, tackling subjects that many doctors still avoid discussing openly. Her contributions to the field of sexuality were unparalleled.
Dr. Ruth’s influence reached far and wide. Not only did she have a regular column in Playgirl magazine, but she also lent her name to an educational board game and a computer game. Her appearances at college campuses were highly anticipated events, capturing the attention and admiration of students nationwide. Soon, her face appeared in commercials and she even made small appearances in popular TV shows and movies.
Redefining Sexual Conversations
Dr. Ruth’s approach to therapy and her perspective on sex and relationships were unlike anything that had come before. In a time when discussing one’s sexual experiences was taboo, she brought these conversations into the open with her unique blend of wisdom and humor. Standing at just 4 feet 7 inches tall, with a mischievous smile and a gentle accent, Dr. Ruth became the face of honest and open discussions about sexuality.
A Wall Street Journal article once described her as “a cross between Henry Kissinger and a canary.” Her impact can still be felt in the advice she shared on her radio show. One of the most important messages she conveyed was the importance of finding pleasure in sex and celebrating our own sexuality without shame.
A Life Worth Celebrating
Karola Ruth Siegel Westheimer was born on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany. She was raised by her Orthodox Jewish parents, Julius and Irma Siegel, in a loving and nurturing environment. However, the rise of anti-Semitic sentiment in Germany changed everything. Dr. Ruth was sent to an orphanage in Switzerland after her father was taken by the Nazis in 1938. It is likely that she lost her parents and grandparents in the Auschwitz concentration camp, never to see them again.
Despite the adversity she faced, Dr. Ruth persevered. She moved to Israel, married her first husband, and started a family. Unfortunately, the marriage did not last. She then married a Frenchman, but that too ended in divorce. However, her journey led her to New York City in the 1950s, where she finally found love with Manfred Westheimer, a telecommunications engineer. They remained happily married until Manfred’s passing in 1997.
Dr. Ruth leaves behind a legacy of love, knowledge, and empowerment. Her son Joel Westheimer, her daughter Miriam Westheimer, and her four grandchildren will forever cherish her memory. As we remember this incredible woman, let us take Dr. Ruth’s wisdom to heart and celebrate the wonderful gift of sexual pleasure in our lives.
