Ruth Westheimer’s Personal Life, Siblings, Parents, Husband, Boyfriend, Kids, Other Family and Dating History
Parents
Ruth Westheimer, born Karola Ruth Siegel, was the only child of Orthodox Jewish parents, Irma (née Hanauer) and Julius Siegel. Her father, Julius, was a notions wholesaler, and her mother, Irma, worked as a housekeeper. Tragically, her parents were taken by the Nazis during the Holocaust, and Ruth never saw them again after being sent to Switzerland for safety in 1939.
Siblings
Ruth Westheimer did not have any siblings. She was the sole child of her parents.
Husband and Marriages
Ruth was married three times:
- First Husband: Her first marriage was brief and ended in divorce in 1955.
- Second Husband: She then married a Frenchman, with whom she moved to New York. This marriage also ended in divorce.
- Manfred Westheimer: In 1961, Ruth married Manfred Westheimer, a fellow refugee from Nazi Germany. They remained married until his death in 1997.
Children
Ruth and Manfred had two children:
- Miriam Westheimer: Born from Ruth’s second marriage, Miriam was legally adopted by Manfred.
- Joel Westheimer: Born in 2000, Joel is Ruth and Manfred’s biological son.
Boyfriends and Dating History
Ruth’s second husband was initially her boyfriend when they moved to New York together.
Other Family
Ruth’s extended family was largely lost during the Holocaust. However, she built a “chosen family” through her friendships and professional relationships. She maintained close ties with her children and grandchildren, who were with her at the time of her passing.
Personal Life
Karola Ruth Siegel, known as Ruth Westheimer, was born on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany, to an Orthodox Jewish family. Her early childhood was idyllic until the rise of the Nazi regime. In 1939, her parents sent her to a children’s home in Switzerland to escape the increasing persecution of Jews. After World War II, Ruth also emigrated to British-controlled Mandatory Palestine. Despite her small stature of 4 feet 7 inches, she joined the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization, and trained as a sniper.
Ruth moved to Paris in 1950, where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne. In 1956, she immigrated to the United States, working as a maid to support herself while pursuing higher education. She earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from The New School in 1959 and also a Doctorate in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1970.
Career
Ruth’s career in sex therapy began with a part-time job at Planned Parenthood in the 1960s, which sparked her interest in human sexuality. She later trained under Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Ruth’s media career took off in 1980 with the radio show “Sexually Speaking,” which aired on WYNY-FM in New York. The show became immensely popular, also leading to her television debut with “The Dr. Ruth Show” in 1984. Her candid, humorous, and also respectful approach to discussing sex made her a beloved figure in American pop culture.
Ruth authored nearly 40 books on sex and relationships, including bestsellers like “Sex for Dummies” and “The Art of Arousal”. She was a vocal advocate for safe sex, intimacy, and open communication in relationships.
Ruth married three times. Her third husband, Manfred Westheimer, whom she married in 1961, was a significant support in her life until his death in 1997. They had two children, Miriam and Joel. Even in her later years, Ruth remained active, engaging with the public through social media and public appearances. She continued to educate and inspire people with her positive outlook and dedication to sexual health and education.
Ruth Westheimer passed away on July 12, 2024, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of breaking taboos and fostering open conversations about sex and relationships.
