Who Is Ruth Westheimer? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ruth Westheimer, often known simply as Dr. Ruth, was born on June 4, 1928. As of 2025, she would be 97 years old. Ruth is a renowned German-American sex therapist, author, and media personality who gained fame for her frank discussions about sexuality. Her journey began in Germany, where she faced the ravages of World War II, eventually immigrating to the United States where she became a pioneering figure in the field of sex therapy and education.
| Occupation | Voice Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1928 |
| Age | 96 Years |
| Birth Place | Wiesenfeld, Bavaria, Germany |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Germany |
| Date of death | 12 July, 2024 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Ruth Westheimer's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ruth Westheimer stands at a height of approximately 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm). Her weight has varied throughout the years, but as of 2025, she maintains a healthy lifestyle to match her vibrant spirit. Though specific body measurements are not widely published, her figure reflects her active nature and commitment to well-being.
Westheimer joined the Haganah Jewish Zionist underground paramilitary organization (later, the Israel Defense Forces) in Jerusalem. Because of her diminutive height of 4 ft, she was trained as a scout and sniper.
Of this experience, she said, "I never killed anybody, but I know how to throw hand grenades and shoot." She became an ace sniper, and learned to assemble a rifle in the dark. When she was 90 years old, she demonstrated that she was still able to put together a Sten gun with her eyes closed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As for her family status, Dr. Ruth was known to have been married to her late husband, who passed away, and she has a deep bond with her family, including her children and grandchildren. In recent years, there have been no confirmed reports regarding a new boyfriend, underscoring her focus on family and her professional commitments.
As the Nazis came to power, her parents sent the 10-year-old girl to a school in Switzerland for safety while they remained behind because of her elderly grandmother. Both were killed in concentration camps. After World War II, she emigrated to British-controlled Mandatory Palestine.
At 4 ft tall and 17 years of age, she joined the Haganah, and was trained as a sniper. On her 20th birthday, she was wounded in action by an exploding shell during mortar fire on Jerusalem during the 1947–1949 Palestine War, and almost lost both feet.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ruth Westheimer's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. She has accumulated wealth through her work as a therapist, author of numerous best-selling books, and various television appearances. While the specifics of her salary for current projects remain undisclosed, her long-standing popularity continues to provide lucrative opportunities.
Career, Business and Investments
Ruth Westheimer's career spans several decades. She first gained recognition with her radio show, "The Dr. Ruth Show," where her candid discussions about sexual health made her a household name. Beyond radio, she has authored countless books on sexuality that have been instrumental in educating the public. Dr. Ruth has also made appearances on television shows and documentaries, fostering open conversations about intimate relationships. Her business ventures include seminars and educational programs.
Westheimer's media career began in 1980 with the radio call-in show Sexually Speaking, which continued until 1990. In 1983 it was the top-rated radio show in the country's largest radio market. She then launched a television show, The Dr. Ruth Show, which by 1985 attracted two million viewers a week.
She became known for giving serious advice while being candid, but also warm, cheerful, funny, and respectful, and for her tag phrase: "Get some". In 1984 The New York Times noted that she had risen "from obscurity to almost instant stardom." She hosted several series on the Lifetime Channel and other cable television networks from 1984 to 1993.
She became a household name and major cultural figure, appeared on several network TV shows, co-starred in a movie with Gérard Depardieu, appeared on the cover of People, sang on a Tom Chapin album, appeared in several commercials, and hosted Playboy videos. She was the author of 45 books on sex and sexuality.
Social Network
Ruth Westheimer maintains a presence on social media platforms, engaging with her audience by sharing advice and insights about relationships and sexual health. Her Twitter and Instagram accounts are particularly popular, offering fans a glimpse into her life and thoughts on contemporary issues related to sexuality and intimacy.
In 2018, she wrote three books. In 2019, she published her 45th book on sex and sexuality. On her 91st birthday, June 4, 2019, Westheimer appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and she visited Ellen's show again in November 2019, taking questions from the audience, and was also a guest in November 2020.
In 2019, she was a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers, The View, The Today Show, and twice on Strahan, Sara and Keke. She also had over 100,000 followers on Twitter.
Education
Ruth’s educational journey has greatly influenced her career. She holds a Master’s degree in sociology from The New School for Social Research in New York City and a doctorate in human sexuality from Adelphi University. These qualifications have underpinned her reputation as a leading authority in sex therapy, allowing her to help countless individuals and couples improve their intimacy and relationship satisfaction.
In conclusion, Ruth Westheimer’s legacy as a trailblazer in sexual health and education continues to thrive in 2025. Her ability to openly discuss sensitive topics has made her a beloved figure, and her contributions to the field of sex therapy are invaluable.
Two years later, Westheimer moved to Paris, France, where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne.
Immigrating to the United States in 1956, she worked as a maid to put herself through graduate school, earned a Master of Arts in sociology from The New School in 1959, and earned a doctorate at age 42 from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1970.
Over the next decade, she taught at a number of universities and had a private sex therapy practice.
