Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Image credit: Harald Bischoff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) – Internationally renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer died peacefully at her home in New York City on Friday (July 12) with her two children by her side. Her publicist, Pierre Lehu, confirmed the news of her death to multiple media outlets. The cause of death was not disclosed. She is 96 years old.
Known as “Dr.” to millions of people. Ruth,” Westheimer became a household name for her unique wit, warmth and intelligence, as well as her distinctive German accent. She is a tireless advocate for sex education, helping to demystify and normalize discussions about sexual desire and behavior.
Dr. Ruth was born in Germany in 1928 and at the age of 10 was sent to Switzerland to escape the Nazis on the eve of World War II. She believed her parents were murdered in Auschwitz because she never saw them again—a tragedy that profoundly affected her life and work. As a teenager, she moved to Jerusalem and trained as a sniper with the Zionist militant group the Haganah.
Westheimer later studied in Paris before immigrating to New York City and earning a degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her first radio show, “Sex Talk,” premiered in New York in 1980 and quickly gained a national following. This success led to her television show “The Dr. Ruth Show” on the Lifetime network, where she continues to provide candid advice on taboo sexual topics.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ruth authored more than 37 books and appeared on numerous television shows, always encouraging her viewers to “enjoy a good sex life.” Well into her 90s, she remained a vibrant and active figure in public life, most recently serving as the New York State Honorary Ambassador for Loneliness.
Dr. Ruth’s contributions extended beyond the scope of her professional work. She was an avid member of the Museum of Jewish Heritage and actively involved in Holocaust commemoration activities. In her 2015 book, Here comes the doctor: Dr. Ruth on love, life and joie de vivre, She writes: “In order to make joy the center of your life, you must also feel your emotions, even sad ones. You must mourn; let the tears flow. If you bottle the sadness, the joy will follow. Be loaded in.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer leaves a legacy of compassion, education, and joyful living. Her forthcoming book about loneliness, due to be published posthumously in September, is testament to her lasting impact on the lives of millions of people.
She was preceded in death by her third husband, Manfred “Fred” Westheimer, also a Holocaust survivor, with whom she shared 36 years, in 1997 Died in the year.
rest in peace.
