Renowned sex therapist and talk show host Dr Ruth Westheimer, known as Dr Ruth, has passed away at the age of 96. Her publicist confirmed her death without providing a cause.
Dr Ruth, a Holocaust survivor born in Frankfurt, Germany, became a pioneer in promoting open conversations about sex and intimacy without judgment. She rose to fame in the 1980s with her radio program “Sexually Speaking” and later hosted The Dr. Ruth Show and wrote a nationally syndicated advice column.
Despite a traumatic past that included fleeing Nazi violence and a bomb blast that injured her legs in Palestine, Dr Ruth went on to earn multiple degrees and teach at universities. Last November, she was appointed as New York’s honorary ambassador to loneliness.
Dr Ruth’s legacy extends beyond her expertise in sex therapy to her advocacy for open communication and her journey from survivor to educator and icon. Her impact on public discourse about sex and relationships will continue to inspire and educate for years to come.