Karola Ruth Westheimer (b.1928,) originally Karola Ruth Siegel, commonly known as Dr. Ruth, is a prominent German-American sex therapist, media personality, and author. With her expertise and trusted voice in the field, she is celebrated for promoting healthy sexual communication and championing personal well-being.
Born in Wiesenfeld, Germany, Westheimer survived the Holocaust and later relocated to Israel, where she served as a sniper for the Haganah paramilitary organization. In the 1950s, she immigrated to the United States. While juggling her housekeeper and single mother responsibilities, she attended classes at The New School for Social Research. After finishing her doctorate in education at Columbia University, Westheimer trained under the sex therapist Helen Singer Kaplan at Cornell University. This training thrust her into a successful career in psychology, where she became a renowned advocate for sexual health and education.
Dr. Ruth gained widespread recognition in the 1980s through her candid and straightforward radio show, Sexually Speaking, where she provided guidance on relationships and addressed various sexual issues. Her approachable demeanor effectively dismantled barriers and brought conversations about sexuality into the mainstream.
Alongside her media appearances, Dr. Ruth has authored numerous books on sex and relationships. Some notable works include Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Good Sex (1983,) Sex for Dummies (1995,) The Art of Arousal: A Celebration of Erotic Art throughout History (1996,) Sexually Speaking: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Sexual Health (2002,) and The Doctor Is In: Dr. Ruth on Love, Life, and Joie de Vivre (2015.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ruth Westheimer
Our way is not soft grass, it’s a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun.
—Ruth Westheimer
Topics: Doing Your Best
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