The late Dr. Ruth had a final message about fighting loneliness. Her friend is making sure to spread it far and wide

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When journalist Allison Gilbert first interviewed Dr. Ruth Westheimer in August 2023, she felt an overwhelming sense of awe. Gilbert, 54, who recalls listening to the famed sex therapist’s talk show growing up, was enamored by “Dr. Ruth’s” wisdom, mindset, and tough love as a then 95-year-old. 

“Once the reporting was over, we just wanted to stay in each other's lives, and to me, that is the most unexpected joy,” Gilbert tells Fortune. “We had a very fast and deep friendship.”