Celebrity News July 13, 2024
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Iconic Sex Therapist Who Urged Us to 'Get Some,' Dies at 96
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Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the iconic therapist who blazed trails by speaking frankly about sex on the radio in the '80s, has died, The New York Times reports.
She was 96.
The German-American doctor — known as Dr. Ruth — became a sensation on U.S. radio via her talk show "Sexually Speaking" (1980-1990). Within three years of its debut — buoyed by her fearlessness in talking about human sexuality, her distinctive rolled Rs, and her grandmotherly persona — "Sexually Speaking" was the top-rated show of its kind.
On TV, she hosted "The Dr. Ruth Show" (1984-1991), which further helped make her one of the most ubiquitous pop icons of the '80s.
Her catchphrase? "Get some."
Born June 4, 1928, in Germany, Karola Ruth Siegel was sent to Switzerland by her parents to escape Nazi rule at home. Her parents died in concentration camps, and she later moved to the Middle East, where she was trained as a sniper.
Though she never put her skills to use, she was seriously wounded. She moved to Paris in the '50s, where she studied at the Sorbonne.
Once in the U.S., she worked as a maid to support herself while earning her sociology degree from NYC's the New School. In 1970, having wed Manfred Westheimer in 1961, she earned her doctorate.
Westheimer's reach continued beyond the '80s, and for the rest of her life. She was the author of more than 40 books, was the subject of a one-woman show called "Becoming Dr. Ruth" (2013), and was profiled in the doc "Ask Dr. Ruth" that was released theatrically and on Hulu in 2019.
Among her many honors, Dr. Ruth was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2019.
Her last great crusade was against loneliness. Months ago, having been named New York State's Loneliness Ambassador by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Dr. Ruth released a video in honor of Valentine's Day, urging, "If you are alone on Valentine's Day, do what I'm doing — call a friend who is also alone, and do something enjoyable. Agree that you're going out, and maybe you might meet somebody... who knows?"
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1997, and is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.
