“When it comes to sex, the most important six inches are the ones between the ears.”
“A lesson learned with humor is a lesson remembered.”
“I wish you all good sex for the rest of your lives!”
DR. RUTH K. WESTHEIMER
June 4, 1928 - July 12, 2024
Photo by Pierre A. Lehu
Just 4’7” tall, Dr. Ruth proved that in an epic life, size doesn’t matter.
Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer is best known for breaking taboos by talking openly about sex on radio and television, but that remarkable achievement was only one chapter in an extraordinary life marked by resilience, courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of human connection.
Born in Germany in 1928, Ruth Westheimer was sent to Switzerland at age ten on the Kindertransport, escaping the Holocaust that claimed her entire immediate family. At 17 she emigrated to what was then Palestine, joined the Haganah, trained as a sniper, and was seriously wounded in a bombing during Israel's War of Independence. She later studied at the Sorbonne in Paris before moving to the United States in 1956, earning a master's degree in sociology from The New School and a doctorate in family studies from Columbia University's Teachers College.
While working for Planned Parenthood, she trained in human sexuality under Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center and later became an Adjunct Associate Professor. She lectured widely at institutions including Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Hunter College, becoming a respected educator long before she became a media celebrity.
At age 50, Westheimer launched the late-night radio call-in show Sexually Speaking, which became an international phenomenon. Her candid, compassionate, and humorous approach transformed public conversations about sex and relationships, making her one of the world's best-known sex therapists. The Dr. Ruth Show on Lifetime attracted millions of viewers, and for more than two decades she offered practical, judgment-free advice while interviewing celebrities including Cyndi Lauper, Jerry Seinfeld, Ozzy Osbourne, Patti LaBelle, Joan Rivers, Harvey Fierstein, and Eartha Kitt. She starred with Gerard Depardeau in the film One Woman or Two, had her own sitcom pilot and was a regular on television - including the Hollywood Squares.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s she emerged as an ally to the LGBTQ community, but spreading the facts about HIV / AIDS - and safer sex. She denounced the demonization of the community.
Beyond television and radio, Westheimer wrote more than 45 books on sexuality, relationships, family, and human connection, as well as children's books and a graphic novel. She believed deeply in strengthening family bonds across generations. The acclaimed 2019 documentary Ask Dr. Ruth introduced her inspiring life story to a new generation.
Her many honors included induction into the Radio Hall of Fame, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger Award, Germany's Order of Merit, and the Magnus Hirschfeld Medal. Westheimer was a board member of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan in New York City, where they dedicated the Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer Stage.
In 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed her the state's first Ambassador to Loneliness, recognizing her lifelong commitment to combating isolation and fostering meaningful human connection. Her final book, The Joy of Connections 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life (written with Pierre A. Lehu and Allison Gilbert) was released posthumously.
Dr. Ruth married the love of her life, Manfred Westheimer, in 1961, and they remained together until his death in 1997. She passed away in 2024 at age 96, surrounded by her family, leaving behind two children, four grandchildren, and a legacy of courage, resilience, humor, compassion, and groundbreaking advocacy that continues to inspire generations.
We are proud to bring Becoming Dr. Ruth to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for its UK Debut.
Dr. Ruth’s wisdom and wit can be found on X @AskDrRuth and on YouTube.