Ruth Westheimer, Sex Therapist Known As ‘Dr. Ruth,’ Dies At Age 96

Sad news coming in this Saturday: Ruth Westheimer, best known as “Dr. Ruth,” has passed away. Her publicist Pierre Lehu shared this news in a statement.

Dr. Ruth was a renowned sex therapist whose cheerful and approachable advice helped educate millions of Americans about sexual desires and practices. According to her publicist, Dr. Ruth passed away just over a month after celebrating her 96th birthday. The cause of death was not publicly shared.

“She was restful when she passed away. Her son and daughter were with her and holding her hand at that moment,” Lehu told People. “It was as peacefully as she could possibly go. It’s amazing, there was stuff still going on in her life [she has a book coming out this fall with Allison Gilbert] and someone wants to make a biopic about her.”

Her family also said in a statement, “The children of Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer are sad to announce the passing of their mother, the internationally-celebrated sex therapist, author, talk show host, professor, and orphan of the Holocaust.”

Born Karola Ruth Siegel on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany, Dr. Ruth experienced immense tragedy during World War II. Her father, Julius, was taken away by the Nazis in 1938, and shortly after, she was sent on the “kindertransport” to Switzerland. This organized escape allowed thousands of Jewish children, including Dr. Ruth, to find safety outside of Germany.

After the war, Dr. Ruth pursued post-doctoral research in human sexuality and began working at Planned Parenthood, where she trained family planning counselors. However, it was in 1980 that she received her big break. Betty Elam, the community affairs manager at public radio station WYNY, heard Dr. Ruth speak and proposed a call-in show on sex education. This show, called “Sexually Speaking,” quickly gained popularity and lasted for ten years. It also paved the way for Dr. Ruth’s subsequent television and radio shows.

Dr. Ruth is survived by her two children, Miriam and Joel, and four grandchildren. Her husband, Manfred, passed away in 1997. Her legacy as a pioneer in the field of sex therapy and her commitment to promoting healthy sexual relationships will continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

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