Sexologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer passed away at the age of 96

The sexologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, also known as “Dr. Ruth”, died today (Saturday) at the age of 96 at her home in New York.

Westheimer was a psychologist and best known as a groundbreaking and first-of-its-kind sexuality counselor who became a media phenomenon in the 1980s with popular radio and television programs dealing with sex and relationships.

Westheimer, born Carola Ruth Siegel, was born in Germany and a Holocaust survivor. In 1950 she moved to France and studied psychology at the Sorbonne University, where she also taught. In 1956 she immigrated to the United States and studied at Columbia University, where she completed her master’s degree in sociology followed by a doctorate in education.

In 1980, her radio show, “Sexually Speaking”, began in New York. Later that year, her television program, “Sexually Speaking”, was broadcast for the first time as a recorded program of approximately 15 minutes. The show was very successful and was broadcast all over the United States, and it was considered honest, humorous and respectful.

Westheimer used to visit Israel a lot, and give lectures in her areas of expertise. At the beginning of Channel 2’s days, she hosted a program on sexual counseling, “Min Plan”, with broadcaster Arad Nir alongside her.

Westheimer was married three times. In an interview she stated that each of her marriages taught her a lot about relationships and relationship advice. After two divorces, she felt that the third time she got married was the “real wedding”. This marriage survived until the death of her husband, Manfred Westheimer, in 1997. Westheimer has two children and four grandchildren.