Ruth Westheimer, widely recognized as Dr. Ruth, has died at the age of 96.

Westheimer was renowned for her pioneering work as a radio and television talk show host, bringing open discussions about sex into American households, as Variety reports.

The beloved pop culture icon passed away on Friday at her home in New York City. Known for her expertise and her distinct German accent, she was known for providing explicit and straightforward advice on sexual matters.

Lifetime Of Contributions in Media and Education

Born in Wiesenfeld, Germany, in 1928 to an Orthodox Jewish family, Westheimer faced numerous challenges from a young age.

Her father was taken by the Nazis after Kristallnacht and later killed at Auschwitz. At the age of 10, she was sent to a Swiss orphanage for safety, where she continued her education by borrowing books, despite the restrictions on girls’ education.

At 17, Westheimer emigrated to Palestine, where she was trained as a scout and sniper and was seriously injured by a shell. Her resilience led her to move to Paris with her first husband, where she began studying psychology. Later, she moved to New York, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1959 and a PhD in education.

Rise To Fame with Radio Shows

In 1980, at the age of 50, Westheimer started her radio show on New York's WYNY. A 15-minute segment that aired at midnight on Saturdays, it quickly gained popularity. By 1984, The Dr. Ruth Show was syndicated nationwide.

In 1984, she began hosting Lifetime's Good Sex! With Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and the next year, the show was renamed The Dr. Ruth Show. She went on to host another syndicated series in 1987 called Ask Dr. Ruth.

Expanding Reach Through Television and Writing

During her career, Westheimer hosted at least five shows on Lifetime and other cable stations from 1984 to 1993.

Her television career was complemented by her prolific writing, with dozens of books on sex to her name. Her efforts helped normalize conversations about sexual health and education in American households.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Westheimer was a familiar face on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman, Hollywood Squares, and Quantum Leap, and appeared in numerous TV commercials.

Addressing Personal Trauma Later in Life

Westheimer was hesitant to talk about her traumatic early life until the Hulu documentary Ask Dr. Ruth premiered in 2019.

The documentary featured her visiting the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem and depicted her life with her children and grandchildren. Her story was also portrayed in the 2013 off-Broadway play Becoming Dr. Ruth.

Her straightforward discussions about sex significantly contributed to the acceptance of women’s rights and abortion rights movements. As she told NPR, “From the beginning, I said a woman has the responsibility for her own sexual satisfaction.”

Personal Life and Legacy

Westheimer’s personal life was marked by resilience and dedication to education and sexual health. She was married three times, and her last husband, Fred Westheimer, passed away in 1997. She is survived by two children and four grandchildren.

Despite her advancing age, Westheimer remained active on social media, teaching, and making media appearances well into her nineties. Her lasting impact on sexual health education and her role as a cultural touchstone are undeniable.

In summary, Ruth Westheimer's legacy as a pioneering sex educator and media personality is marked by her significant contributions to radio and television, her frankness about sexual matters, and her resilience in the face of personal trauma.

She brought open discussions of sex into millions of American households, helping to shift societal attitudes. Her work and her history will continue to educate and inspire future generations.