Dr. Ruth Westheimer, one of America's most iconic pioneers in sex education, has died at the age of 96, the Associated Press reported, citing a statement from her spokesman.
Westheimer died at her New York City home surrounded by friends and family. Associated PressWestheimer rose to fame in the 1980s for speaking out about sexual health on TV shows such as “The Dr. Ruth Show” and for writing 40 books on the subject, according to the outlet. (Related article: 'Alf' actor Benji Gregory found dead in car: reports)
We are saddened to learn that Ruth Westheimer, the Holocaust orphan and psychologist who became America's best-known sex counselor through her frank and entertaining radio and television shows as “Dr. Ruth,” has passed away at the age of 96.
Dr. Ruth led us to a very interesting… pic.twitter.com/QtuRSKmitI
— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) July 13, 2024
Born Carola Ruth Siegel in Weisenfeld, Germany in 1928, Westheimer was sent to Switzerland to escape the Nazis in 1939, then moved to Palestine at age 16 and trained as a sniper with the Haganah, the forerunner of the Israel Defense Forces, the paper said. USA TodayAccording to the outlet, after she was wounded in the War of Independence in 1948, she moved to Paris to receive formal training in psychology.
According to the outlet, Westheimer moved to New York in 1956. She began her media career in 1980 when she hosted the phone-in show “Sexual Speaking” on WYNY-FM (NBC). New York City. The show became so popular that it was syndicated nationally in 1984, according to the Associated Press. Westheimer made her television debut on “The Dr. Ruth Show” in 1985, according to the Associated Press. Westheimer appeared regularly on late-night talk shows such as “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” according to To ABC.
Pioneering sex therapist, Dr. Ruth WestheimertranslatorDr. Ruth, also known as Dr. Ruth, was a Holocaust survivor and a proud Zionist who fought in Israel's War of Independence.
She died Friday at age 96.
We admire her determination, courage and legacy. pic.twitter.com/Zg9jwDCzH1
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 13, 2024
Affectionately known as “Dr. Ruth,” she has become an iconic figure in the United States thanks in part to her contrasting characteristics: her distinctive petite stature, her high-pitched voice and her ever-more frank discussions of sexual health, according to the Associated Press.
According to the media, Dr. Ruth Westheimer is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.
