3 Things You Didn't Know About Dr. Ruth
The renowned sex therapist's career began in 1980.
— -- Dr. Ruth doesn’t quit: At 88 years old, the renowned sex therapist is still vocal about her favorite topic -- writing books, making appearances and lecturing on what she has coined “sexual literacy.”
Her career began in 1980 with a 15-minute taped radio program called “Sexually Speaking” and just one year later it became a live, two-hour show, giving listeners the opportunity to call-in. The show became a huge success lasting over 10 years and eventually becoming part of a communications network distributing Dr. Ruth's expertise via television, books, newspapers, games and videos.
She recently sat down with Rebecca Jarvis for an episode of "Real Biz With Rebecca Jarvis" to discuss her journey, from escaping the Holocaust to becoming Dr. Ruth and everything in between. Here are three things you might not know about Ruth Westheimer:
1. She's a survivor: Born in Germany in 1928, Dr. Ruth was forced to leave her home to escape the Holocaust, being sent to an orphanage in Switzerland when she was only 10 years old.
2. She was a sniper: Only a few years later at the age of 17, Dr. Ruth went to Israel and became a member of the Haganah (a Jewish paramilitary group), fighting for the country's independence and training as a sniper.
"I was a sniper in the underground in the Haganah in 1948. I’ve never killed anybody," Dr. Ruth commented. "But I was badly wounded on both legs; that’s not why I’m short -- I would’ve been short anyway."
3. There's an off-Broadway play about her life: “Becoming Dr. Ruth” opened in October 2013, with actress Debra Jo Rupp (who played Kitty on “That '70s Show”) starring as Dr. Ruth. The play chronicles her incredible story, while also highlighting her favorite subject with lines scripted straight from Dr. Ruth’s mouth.
“When I came to the country, they told me that I have to take speech lessons, but Debra Jo Rupp, who portrayed me, she had to go to a speech therapist to learn my accent!” Dr. Ruth told Rebecca Jarvis.
For more of the interview watch the video below from "Real Biz With Rebecca Jarvis" and follow Rebecca Jarvis on Facebook.com/rebeccajarvis.
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