Dr. Ruth Westheimer: The Life and Legacy of a Sex Positive Icon

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the famed sex therapist known for her cheerful demeanor and bold discussions on sex, passed away at 96. Her impactful career included radio shows, books, TV appearances, and advocacy for safe sex. A Holocaust survivor, she overcame personal tragedies to become an influential figure in sex education.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became an iconic pop culture figure for her candid advice on sex, has died at age 96, the Washington Post reported.

According to her publicist, Westheimer passed away on Friday at her Manhattan home. Fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she embarked on a lifelong mission to educate others about sex, driven by early glimpses of her parents' marriage manual. Over her illustrious career, she produced books, instructional videos, and even a 'Good Sex' board game.

Known widely as 'Dr. Ruth,' she preached the merits of good, safe sex and became a household name through her distinctive German accent and upbeat persona. Her first intimate experience was at 17 on a kibbutz, a tale she fondly recalled in her autobiography 'All in a Lifetime.' A proponent of contraception, she often reflected on her early life and experiences in her extensive writings.

Orphaned during the Holocaust, she was sent to an orphanage in Switzerland. Later, she emigrated to Palestine, trained as a sniper with Haganah, and survived injuries from a bombing. Eventually, she moved to the U.S., where her career flourished through a groundbreaking radio show on sex education. Her unique blend of expertise, charisma, and accessible language made her a trusted voice in millions of households.

Westheimer's legacy includes nearly 40 books on various aspects of sexuality, advocacy for safe sex, and a message that intimacy and communication enhance sexual experiences. She is remembered as a trailblazing educator who touched lives with her old-fashioned yet open-minded approach to relationships and sex.

(With inputs from agencies.)