Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the renowned sex therapist who transformed the conversation about human sexuality in America, passed away on Friday at her home in New York City. She was 96 years old, just over a month past her birthday. Her publicist, Pierre Lehu, confirmed her passing.

"The children of Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer are saddened to announce the passing of their mother, the internationally celebrated sex therapist, author, talk show host, professor, and Holocaust orphan," her family said in a statement on Saturday. The family will hold a private funeral.

Dr. Westheimer, known affectionately as "Dr. Ruth," gained fame in the 1980s through her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," which broke taboos by discussing intimate topics with frankness and humor. Her success extended to television, books, and lectures, where she continued to educate and advocate for open conversations about sex and relationships.

Born Karola Ruth Siegel on June 4, 1928, in Frankfurt, Germany, Dr. Westheimer's early life was marked by tragedy. As an only child in a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family, her childhood was abruptly disrupted by the rise of Nazi Germany. After her father was taken to a labor camp following Kristallnacht in 1938, her parents sent her to Switzerland via Kindertransport to escape the Holocaust. Her parents later perished in Auschwitz.

Despite these hardships, Dr. Westheimer thrived. She emigrated to Palestine at 18, where she joined a kibbutz and became a sniper for the Jewish underground during Israel's War of Independence. After sustaining severe injuries in a bomb blast, she moved to France, where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne.

Dr. Westheimer eventually moved to the United States, where she continued her education and obtained a master's degree in sociology from the New School and a doctorate in education from Columbia University. Her career in sex therapy began at Planned Parenthood in New York City and later at Cornell Medical Center, where she trained under noted psychiatrist Helen Singer Kaplan.

Her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," debuted on WYNY-FM and quickly gained popularity, leading to national syndication. Known for her distinctive accent and warm demeanor, Dr. Westheimer became a beloved media personality, appearing on shows like "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman."

Dr. Westheimer also made significant contributions to public health, particularly during the early days of the AIDS crisis, where she advocated for empathy and understanding towards the LGBTQ community.

Throughout her life, Dr. Westheimer authored over 60 books, lectured worldwide, and remained a prominent figure in media and public health. In 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed her as the state's first Ambassador to Loneliness to address isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Westheimer is survived by her children, Miriam and Joel, and four grandchildren. Her legacy as a pioneer in sex therapy and a compassionate advocate for open dialogue about human sexuality will continue to influence generations to come.