death fall - Sex therapist Ruth Westheimer is dead
Sex Therapist Ruth Westheimer is dead. The well-known psychologist, known as "Dr. Ruth," passed away on a Friday evening (local time) at the age of 96, confirmed Pierre Lehu, spokesperson for the German Press Agency (dpa). Westheimer is particularly renowned in the USA as a pioneer for open discussions about sex and relationship issues.
She was born in 1928 in Wiesenfeld near Frankfurt into a Jewish family and was taken to Switzerland on a children's transport shortly before the outbreak of World War II. She survived the Holocaust and became a US citizen in 1965, later regaining her German citizenship.
Her radio show "Sexually Speaking" marked the beginning of her career
The beginning of Westheimer's career was her radio show "Sexually Speaking" (approximately "Sexually" in English), in which she answered questions from callers. Her success was enormous, and further radio and television shows followed. With Pierre Lehu, Westheimer also published several books, including "Sex for Dummies" and "Silver Sex - How to Enjoy Sex in Your Golden Years."
Her characteristic laughter and open approach to sex tips earned her many fans. She spoke openly about topics such as ejaculation and masturbation, so that hundreds of thousands of anonymous listeners sought her advice. "Her name and the distinct sound of her voice are inseparable from the topic of sex," wrote the "New York Times" once.
In 2019, she received the Federal Cross of Merit
Westheimer had many international followers and received the Federal Cross of Merit in 2019. "The questions are the same everywhere," she once told the German Press Agency. Every country thinks it has better lovers. She could easily not recognize the best in the world. Pure "nonsense" is also the image of supposedly so puritanical America in comparison to sexually much freer Europe. In total, Westheimer wrote more than 30 sex advice books.
- Ruth Westheimer, the U.S. Citizen renowned as "Dr. Ruth," gained popularity in the United States of America for leading open discussions about sex and relationship issues.
- Born in 1928 in Wiesenfeld near Frankfurt to a Jewish family, Ruth Westheimer was taken to Switzerland on a children's transport before the outbreak of the Second World War, saving her from the Holocaust.
- After becoming a U.S. citizen in 1965, Ruth Westheimer later regained her German citizenship, allowing her to work with the German Press Agency (dpa) spokesperson, Pierre Lehu.
- Ruth Westheimer's career began with her radio show "Sexually Speaking," which gained extensive popularity due to her open approach to discussing sex and relationship issues, answering questions from callers.
- Following the success of her radio show, Westheimer continued with further radio and television shows, as well as publishing several books with Pierre Lehu, such as "Sex for Dummies" and "Silver Sex - How to Enjoy Sex in Your Golden Years."
- In recognition of her work and international following, Ruth Westheimer was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in Germany in 2019, highlighting the universality of her impact on society.
- Despite her influence and continued activity in various mediums, Ruth Westheimer's characteristic laughter and advice helped countless individuals come to terms with their sexuality and relationships, even during sensitive and taboo subjects such as ejaculation and masturbation.
