Westheimer gained fame in the 1980s with her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," where she provided candid and humorous advice on sex and relationships. Her approachable style and frank discussions on sexual health made her a cultural icon. By 1984 the show was known all over America and she began to be called ''Dr Ruth''.
Dr. Ruth has authored numerous books, hosted television shows, and continued to be an influential figure in the field of sexual education and therapy until her death. In the beginning, she was a somewhat controversial figure, but over time became a truly influential one with her 4-foot-7 frame and her light-hearted personality. One of the determining factors of her success was that she never refrained from talking about any topic, and regarded sex as an act that no one should be ashamed of.
As celebrities paid tribute to Dr Ruth, the Suits star Sarah Rafferty went on Instagram to pay tribute in a unique way.
Her career
In 1989 ''The All New Dr. Ruth Show'' won the Ace Award for excellence in cable television. She has also published more than 40 books, including 'Dr Ruth's Guide to Good Sex' in 1983 and 'Sex for Dummies' in 1995. ''All in a Lifetime'' was her autobiography released in 1987.
Though she previously stated that she does not support sexually promiscuous or risky behaviour but encourages people to accept and be on terms with their sensuality while engaging in 'safe sex'. In addition to this, she aimed to remove the taboo around sexual topics such as homosexuality and female orgasms and to raise awareness about the same. Her popularity incidentally coincided with the rise of the AIDS epidemic, when the 'sex revolution' and dialogue about these sexual topics became more necessary than ever. She also advocated fearlessly for the LGBTQ community at this time.
The then-President Ronald Reagan's conservative government was also antagonistic towards Planned Parenthood, amidst several anti-feminist and anti-sex education papers that were being published. ''The Dangers of Sex Education'' was a piece written by Phyllis Schlafly in 1999.
In the late 1960s, Westheimer joined the Planned Parenthood organisation in Harlem, New York. She became project director in 1967. She gained a doctorate in 1970 through evening classes at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her work with Planned Parenthood prompted her to study with the pioneer sex therapist Helen Singer Kaplan.
Among these many challenges, Dr Ruth managed to come to the forefront of sexual advocating and make a name for herself at a time when the majority of the population did not accept it.
The icon unfortunately passed away on July 12 surrounded by friends and family in her New York Home.
She has two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren.
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