Dr. Ruth Westheimer, known as the USA's foremost and most groundbreaking sex therapist, has passed away at the age of 96.
Dr. Ruth, as she was commonly called, died on Friday in her home in New York City, surrounded by her family, according to publicist and friend Pierre Lehu.
The small-statured sex therapist with a German background became a major media star and best-selling author through her straightforward and frank way of talking about sex and relationships.
The contrast between her unassuming exterior and the subjects she spoke about with a giggly voice and German accent is said to be one of the keys to her great success.
Her recurring theme was that there was nothing to be ashamed of, and she had a non-judgmental attitude towards what two consenting adults did in private in their own home.
Sex is a private art and a private matter. But it's still a subject we need to talk about, she said to students at Michigan City High School in 2002.
Dr. Ruth was a frequent guest on TV programs such as "The Tonight Show", "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", "The Dr. Oz Show", and "Late Night with David Letterman". In 2019, the documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" was released, in which the 90-year-old sex therapist reflects on her life.
Her most famous book is "Sex for Dummies", which was first published in 1955.
