Sex Education Inspired by Dr Ruth

Who was Dr Ruth Westheimer?

Ruth Westheimer, known to millions as “Dr. Ruth,” was born in Germany in 1928. At age 10 she was sent to safety in Switzerland, and her parents later died in the Holocaust.¹

She earned a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1970. She worked at Planned Parenthood and studied human sexuality under Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan.¹

In 1980 her radio program Sexually Speaking began on WYNY-FM in New York as a 15-minute segment. NBC Radio syndicated it nationally in 1984, and her television shows followed.²

NPR described her “open, nonjudgmental and good-humored public conversations about human intimacy.”³ She used correct anatomical words instead of euphemisms, and during the HIV/AIDS crisis she was credited with sharing fact-based information while stigma and misinformation spread.^1,2 She also wrote dozens of books.³

She told callers who assumed she was a medical doctor, “I am not a physician,” and she referred people to doctors or therapists when they needed more help.²

Dr Ruth Westheimer died on July 12, 2024, in Manhattan, at age 96.^1,3 Her papers, including thousands of letters from listeners and viewers, are held by the Library of Congress.⁴

How Dr Ed carries that spirit forward

Dr Ed is Dr Sex Ed’s AI educator. Dr Ed is not Dr Ruth and does not speak for her. We were inspired by what her work stood for: honest answers, respect for every question, and knowing when to send someone to a professional.

1. Free. Dr Sex Ed is a nonprofit, and asking Dr Ed costs nothing.
2. Judgment-free. No question is too awkward or too basic.
3. Evidence-based. Clear answers built on evidence-based sex education.
4. Private. Ask what you’ve been wondering without saying it out loud.

Dr Ed is an educator, not a doctor or therapist. For medical concerns, please see a health care provider.

Questions people ask Dr Ed

• How do I talk to my partner about boundaries?
• What does consent really mean?
• How can I lower my risk of STIs?
• Which birth control options exist?
• Is what I’m feeling about puberty normal?
• How do I know if a relationship is healthy?

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Dr Ruth Westheimer?

Dr Ruth Westheimer (1928–2024) was a sex therapist, author, and broadcaster. A Holocaust survivor, she earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Her radio show Sexually Speaking and her TV programs made her a household name in the 1980s.

What is Dr Ruth famous for?

She is famous for speaking frankly and warmly about sex and relationships on radio and TV at a time when those topics were taboo. She also shared fact-based information about HIV/AIDS and wrote dozens of books.

Is Dr Ruth still alive?

No. Dr Ruth Westheimer died on July 12, 2024, at her home in Manhattan, at age 96.

Is Dr Sex Ed connected to Dr Ruth?

No. Dr Sex Ed is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Dr Ruth Westheimer or her estate. This page is a tribute to her legacy in sex education.

Where can I ask sex ed questions without judgment?

You can ask Dr Ed, Dr Sex Ed’s free AI educator, at drsexed.ai/chat. Dr Ed gives private, judgment-free, evidence-based answers. Dr Sex Ed is for ages 13 and up, and anyone under 13 needs a parent’s consent.

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Sources

1. Teachers College, Columbia University: “Trailblazing Sex Therapist Ruth Westheimer (Ed.D. ’70) Dies at 96” (July 2024)
2. Library of Congress: “On the Air and in the Archives: The Dr. Ruth Westheimer Papers” (July 2024)
3. NPR: “Pioneering sex expert Dr. Ruth Westheimer dies at 96” (July 13, 2024)
4. Library of Congress: Westheimer papers open for research (June 21, 2024)

Not affiliated. Dr Sex Ed is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Dr Ruth Westheimer or her estate. Her name is used only to describe her life and legacy.