Summary
- Dr. Ruth, a pioneer in American sexual revolution, passed away at age 96 in Manhattan.
- Known for blunt approach to sexuality, she rose to fame in 1980s through radio and TV.
- Dr. Ruth’s career spanned from TV shows to movies, books, and documentaries, celebrating her impactful legacy.
As a gamer and someone who grew up in the 80s, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss with the passing of Dr. Ruth. Her impact on popular culture was significant, and her influence extended far beyond just radio and TV shows. I remember playing games like “Mystery Date” or “Leisure Suit Larry,” where Dr. Ruth was a character or reference, and it always felt like she was a part of my gaming experience in some way.
I’m a huge fan of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the trailblazing figure of the American sexual revolution who sadly passed away at the age of 96. The news was first broken by the New York Times on July 13, but unfortunately, she breathed her last on the previous day, July 12, in her Manhattan home. Spokesperson Pierre Lehu confirmed the sad news.
In the 1980s, Dr. Ruth gained widespread recognition through her live call-in shows on both radio and television. At the age of 52, she kick-started her unexpected career at a New York radio station with a program titled “Sexually Speaking“. Before long, she was contributing columns to “Playgirl” magazine, recording commercials, making movie appearances, and gracing various board games, computer games, and other media outlets with her presence. Dr. Ruth’s unflinching approach to sexuality paved the way for open discussions that were previously unheard of. Despite her petite stature, her journey was marked by remarkable courage.
Who Was Dr. Ruth?
Born on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany, Karola Ruth Siegel went through the heart-wrenching experience of losing her entire family during World War II. Her father was taken by the Nazis in 1938. After the war’s end in 1945, she emigrated to Palestine. There, she underwent rigorous training as a sniper for the Israeli Army. Following this, she pursued higher education in psychology at Sorbonne University in Paris. She got married twice before encountering Manfred Westheimer in 1961. Their union lasted for 36 years until his demise in 1997. Dr. Ruth regarded her third marriage as her “authentic” or “true” marriage.
After completing her postdoctoral studies on human sexuality, Ruth continued her learning journey. Later in her career, she worked at Planned Parenthood, where she taught and prepared family planning advisors. In 1985, shortly following the premiere of her show titled “Good Sex!” on Lifetime, Westheimer discussed her program during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. She was candid about the topic at hand and her bold methodology when addressing sexual relations. The exact words she used are provided below:
I don’t listen for excitement. Standing at 4 feet 7 inches tall and being 57 years old, I don’t fit the typical definition of a sex symbol. However, I take pride in my extensive training. Instead of dancing around topics, I address them directly using appropriate language. Lastly, I’m not afraid to be bold.
Dr. Ruth’s Career Highlights and Accolades
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Ruth Westheimer graced the stages of various late-night and daytime talk shows. Notable hosts like David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Howard Stern, Rachael Ray, Jimmy Kimmel, and Arsenio Hall engaged in thoughtful conversations with her. In her twilight years, she remained dedicated to teaching and writing books. In 2004, she received an honorary doctorate from Trinity College and the Medal for Distinguished Service from Columbia University’s Teachers College as acknowledgement of her contributions. The documentary, titled “Ask Dr. Ruth,” made its debut at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Ryan White, the filmmaker, expressed admiration for her compelling story and the significant milestones it intersected with in world history.
Her life has interwoven with significant moments in world history to an extent that I’m unsure if there exists another living person with an equally extraordinary tale.
Dr. Ruth is sadly no longer with us, leaving behind her two kids, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren. Our thoughts go out to the good doctor’s loved ones, acquaintances, and admirers at MovieWeb during this difficult time.
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2024-07-14 02:03