Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Contributions

Dr. Ruth Westheimer (born Karola Ruth Siegel in 1928) is a renowned German-American sex therapist, media personality, and author. Born in Wiesenfeld, Germany, she was sent to Switzerland at the age of ten to escape the Holocaust, a move that saved her life but separated her from her family, who perished in Nazi concentration camps. After World War II, she moved to Israel, where she fought as a sniper in the Haganah during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Eventually, Dr. Ruth emigrated to the United States, where she earned a master's degree in sociology from The New School and a doctorate in education from Columbia University.

Dr. Ruth's career in sex therapy began in the 1960s when she studied under noted sex therapist Helen Singer Kaplan at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. In 1980, she gained national attention with her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," where her frank, informed, and humorous approach to discussing sex broke taboos and brought the conversation into the mainstream. Her petite stature and distinctive German accent made her an instantly recognizable figure, and her ability to discuss sensitive topics with warmth and humor endeared her to millions. Over the years, she authored numerous books on sex and relationships and appeared on television shows, solidifying her status as a cultural icon and trusted advisor on sexual health.

Despite facing initial resistance due to the conservative attitudes of the time, Dr. Ruth's persistence and expertise helped to normalize open conversations about sex. Her impact extended beyond media; she taught at institutions like Yale and Princeton and worked with various organizations to promote sexual education and health. Dr. Ruth's contributions have been instrumental in destigmatizing sex and empowering people to seek knowledge and pleasure in their intimate lives.