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Dr. Ruth remembered: See the celebrated sex therapist's life, career in photos

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America's celebrated sex guru, died July 12, 2024, at 96. She's seen here in a USA TODAY portrait taken April 30, 2013.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America's celebrated sex guru, died July 12, 2024, at 96. She's seen here in a USA TODAY portrait taken April 30, 2013.
Todd Plitt, USA TODAY
March 6, 2002: The sex therapist (right) with Valerie Harper (left) and Jerry Stiller at " From Broadway With Love, " a charity event in New York.
March 6, 2002: The sex therapist (right) with Valerie Harper (left) and Jerry Stiller at "From Broadway With Love," a charity event in New York.
Mario Tama, Getty Images
Nov. 13, 2007: Isabella Rossellini and Dr. Ruth compare diamond rings at the Leview store opening on Madison Avenue in New York.
Nov. 13, 2007: Isabella Rossellini and Dr. Ruth compare diamond rings at the Leview store opening on Madison Avenue in New York.
Scott Wintrow/Getty Images
Oct. 16, 2008: Dr. Ruth poses in front of a placard that reads "Have terrific sex" at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Oct. 16, 2008: Dr. Ruth poses in front of a placard that reads "Have terrific sex" at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
JOHN MACDOUGALL, AFP Via Getty Images
Jan. 20, 2009: Dr. Ruth beams, camera in hand, as she watches President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance at the Western Inaugural Ball in Washington.
Jan. 20, 2009: Dr. Ruth beams, camera in hand, as she watches President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance at the Western Inaugural Ball in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
May 30, 2009: Famed pilot Chesley " Sully " Sullenberger poses for a photograph with Dr. Ruth while signing copies of his memoir " Highest Duty " at the Javits Center in New York.
May 30, 2009: Famed pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger poses for a photograph with Dr. Ruth while signing copies of his memoir "Highest Duty" at the Javits Center in New York.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Aug. 28, 2014: Dr. Ruth, front left, surrounded by towering models Kendall Jenner (back left), Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid at DuJour Magazine ' s celebration of Kendall and Kylie ' s Bruce Weber shoot at Lavo Restaurant in New York.
Aug. 28, 2014:Dr. Ruth, front left, surrounded by towering models Kendall Jenner (back left), Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid at DuJour Magazine's celebration of Kendall and Kylie's Bruce Weber shoot at Lavo Restaurant in New York.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images For DuJour Magazine
Aug. 11, 2018: Westheimer signs copies of her latest book at East Hampton Library in New York.
Aug. 11, 2018: Westheimer signs copies of her latest book at East Hampton Library in New York.
EUGENE GOLOGURSKY/GETTY IMAGES
Sept. 11, 2018: Dr. Ruth and former President Bill Clinton at the annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI in New York.
Sept. 11, 2018:Dr. Ruth and former President Bill Clinton at the annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI in New York.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Feb. 10, 2019: Dr. Ruth waves to photographers at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Feb. 10, 2019: Dr. Ruth waves to photographers at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAY
Feb. 11, 2019: Westheimer talks up her new Hulu documentary " Ask Dr. Ruth " to TV critics in Pasadena, California.
Feb. 11, 2019:Westheimer talks up her new Hulu documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" to TV critics in Pasadena, California.
RACHEL MURRAY/GETTY IMAGES FOR HULU
Feb. 13, 2019: Dr. Ruth poses backstage at the Zang Toi show during New York Fashion Week.
Feb. 13, 2019:Dr. Ruth poses backstage at the Zang Toi show during New York Fashion Week.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images For NYFW
April 27, 2019: Dr. Ruth arrives for the Tribeca Film Festival showing of " Ask Dr. Ruth " with her son and daughter, Joel and Miriam.
April 27, 2019: Dr. Ruth arrives for the Tribeca Film Festival showing of "Ask Dr. Ruth" with her son and daughter, Joel and Miriam.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images For Tribeca
May 30, 2019: Dr. Ruth with her " Sex for Dummies " guide and singer Mary Wilson (left) at Book Expo America 2019.
May 30, 2019:Dr. Ruth with her "Sex for Dummies" guide and singer Mary Wilson (left) at Book Expo America 2019.
Larry Busacca, Getty Images For People And EW
March 23, 2000: Dr. Ruth tries out an onboard bed on a commercial airliner.
March 23, 2000: Dr. Ruth tries out an onboard bed on a commercial airliner.
PETER FREED/USA TODAY
Aug. 29, 2022: The famed sex guru and Bill Clinton (left) took in Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinić at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing, New York.
Aug. 29, 2022: The famed sex guru and Bill Clinton (left) took in Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinić at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing, New York.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports