I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a trailblazer and icon who broke barriers in discussing sex and relationships on radio, TV, and in print. As someone who grew up listening to her candid advice and watching her shows, her impact on my life and countless others cannot be overstated.
The world has lost a legend.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the renowned sex therapist known for her candid discussions on love and sexuality across radio, television, and publishing, passed away at the age of 96. Her publicist, Pierre Lehu, verified the news to NBC News.
“She died peacefully at her home in New York City on July 12th surrounded by her loving family,” her family, including children Joel and Miriam, shared in a statement, “just over a month after celebrating her 96th birthday.”
A Holocaust survivor from Germany, Westheimer gained prominence in 1980 at the age of 50s with her provocative late-night radio show on New York’s WYNY, named “Sexually Speaking.” With her petite build and fearless approach to discussing sensitive subjects like intimate relationships, she quickly captivated audiences.
At first, her radio program lasted only 15 minutes, focusing on answering queries about sex and giving guidance to listeners. However, it eventually grew into a widely distributed show that continued until 1990.
In the 1980s, Westheimer made her television debut, starting with a half-hour series titled “Good Sex! With Dr. Ruth Westheimer” on Lifetime. Subsequently, she hosted the extended series called “The Dr. Ruth Show,” as well as teen-oriented programs such as “What’s Up, Dr. Ruth?” and “You’re on the Air with Dr. Ruth.” She continued to produce numerous other shows aimed at reducing the taboo surrounding open discussions about sex.
She devoted herself wholeheartedly to this endeavor, introducing the trivia-filled board game “Dr. Ruth’s Sex Education Game” and its computer game counterpart, which both experienced massive popularity, in addition to hosting an instructional video series for Playboy during the ’90s.
Westheimer, a prolific author who graced talk shows frequently and wrote 45 books on sexuality during her lifetime, also made appearances as herself in shows such as “Quantum Leap” and “One Life to Live” during the 1990s.
Westheimer, who drew inspiration for films and a 2013 Broadway production, didn’t limit her discussions to sex and sexuality. Her topics included the Holocaust and antisemitism as well. Born an only child to Orthodox Jewish parents, she was sent to a Swiss orphanage at the onset of World War II, during which her parents were tragically lost.
Following her death, several stars, including Adam Sandler, expressed their grief.
“Always loved Dr. Ruth,” the comedian wrote on X, formerly Twitter, July 13. “Going to miss her a lot. She always made us smile. Sending love to her family and thanks for everything.”
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2024-07-14 17:32