Which famous sex therapist and media personality, known simply as 'Dr. Ruth,' passed away in July 2024 at age 96?

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the pioneering sex therapist and media personality known simply as Dr. Ruth, passed away on July 12, 2024, at the age of 96 in New York City. Her death marked the end of an extraordinary life that saw her transform public discourse around sex and relationships with her frank, non-judgmental, and humorous approach.

Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Germany in 1928, Dr. Ruth's early life was marked by tragedy as she was sent to a Swiss orphanage to escape the Holocaust, never seeing her parents again. After the war, she moved to Palestine, where she joined the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization, and was trained as a sniper. She later emigrated to the United States in 1956, pursuing her education and eventually earning a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1970.

Dr. Ruth's media career began in 1980 with her local radio call-in show, "Sexually Speaking," which quickly gained national popularity due to her unique blend of expertise, humor, and a distinctive German accent. She went on to host television programs, author more than 40 books, and appear widely across various media, becoming a household name and a cultural icon. Throughout her career, she championed open conversations about sex, provided crucial information during the AIDS epidemic, and advocated for sexual literacy and healthy relationships, leaving an indelible mark on how society discusses intimacy.