Remembering Dr. Ruth Westheimer: America’s Iconic Sex Counselor

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, known affectionately as “Dr. Ruth,” passed away on Friday at her home in Manhattan at the age of 96. Celebrated as America’s most famous sex counselor, her candid and humorous approach to discussing sex and relationships made her a beloved figure across the nation.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Dr. Ruth first entered the public eye in her 50s, making her radio debut in 1980 on New York’s WYNY station. Her show, “Sexually Speaking,” began as a modest 15-minute segment airing after midnight on Sundays. However, its immense popularity quickly catapulted her to national fame, transforming her into a media sensation and business mogul.

Media Presence and Business Ventures

During the 1980s, Dr. Ruth hosted syndicated live call-in shows on both radio and television, penned a column for Playgirl magazine, and even lent her name to a board game and its computer version. She authored numerous guidebooks on sexuality, appealing to a wide audience from young adults to seniors. Her popularity on college campuses ensured that her speaking engagements were a significant source of income. She also appeared in advertisements for various products, including cars, soft drinks, shampoo, typewriters, and condoms.

Film Appearance

In 1985, Dr. Ruth took on a role in the French film “One Woman or Two,” alongside Gérard Depardieu and Sigourney Weaver, which was released in the United States in 1987. While not critically acclaimed for her acting, she brought her characteristic energy to the screen.

A Radical Influence on Social Mores

Columnist William E. Geist once noted that she appeared ready to share recipes in her cheerful European accent, only to then deliver explicit, straightforward advice on sexual matters. Her unique delivery was described by The Wall Street Journal as “something like a cross between Henry Kissinger and a canary.”

Personal Background and Education

Dr. Ruth’s journey to becoming a beloved sex counselor is a quintessentially American story of resilience and determination. Born Karola Ruth Siegel on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany, she was the only child of Orthodox Jewish parents. Her early life was upended by the Holocaust, which claimed her family. She found refuge in Switzerland, where she lived through her teenage years before moving to Palestine and eventually joining the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary group.

After suffering severe injuries during the war for Israeli independence, she moved to Paris, then New York in 1956. In New York, she pursued her education, earning degrees from the Sorbonne and Columbia University, where she completed her doctorate in education in 1970. She trained in human sexuality at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and later taught at Lehman College and Brooklyn College.

Family and Legacy

Dr. Ruth found lasting love with Manfred Westheimer, a telecommunications engineer, whom she met while skiing in the Catskills in 1961. They shared a deep bond until his death in 1997. She is survived by her son, Joel Westheimer, her daughter, Miriam Westheimer, and four grandchildren.

In her later years, Dr. Ruth fondly recalled their romance, attributing their connection to their shared love of skiing and their willingness to take risks and embrace life fully.

Early Life and Holocaust Survival

Born to Julius and Irma Siegel, Dr. Ruth’s early years in Frankfurt were comfortable until the rise of the Nazis. Her father’s arrest in 1938 led to her being sent to a Swiss school for safety. She never saw her family again, as they were presumed murdered at Auschwitz. This tragic background fueled her drive and resilience, ultimately shaping her into the influential figure she became.

Conclusion

Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s legacy is one of breaking barriers and fostering open conversations about sex and relationships. Her candidness, humor, and warmth made her an enduring figure in American culture, and she will be remembered as a pioneer who changed the way we talk about intimacy.