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Sue Johanson

Sue Johanson was a Canadian registered nurse, sex educator, broadcaster, and author known for her frank advice on sexual health and relationships.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sue Johanson was a Canadian registered nurse, sex educator, broadcaster, and author known for her frank advice on sexual health and relationships. She hosted the radio and television program *Sunday Night Sex Show* in Canada and the U.S. spin-off *Talk Sex with Sue Johanson*. She died in 2023 at the age of 92 or 93, depending on the source’s reporting of her age.

Early life and nursing career

Sue Johanson was born in Toronto in 1930 and worked as a registered nurse. She later moved into sex education and birth control counselling, including operating a birth control clinic in Toronto.

Broadcasting career

Johanson became known through *Sunday Night Sex Show*, which began as a radio call-in program in 1984 and later appeared on television in Canada. The show’s U.S. counterpart, *Talk Sex with Sue Johanson*, expanded her audience.

Books and public education

In addition to broadcasting, Johanson wrote books and a newspaper column focused on sexual health, contraception, and safer sex. Her work was noted for its direct, nonjudgmental style.

Recognition and legacy

Johanson received the Order of Canada and became one of Canada’s best-known sex educators. Her work influenced public discussion of sexuality in Canada and the United States.

Key facts

  • Johanson was a Canadian nurse and sex educator who became widely known for public sexual health education.
  • She began hosting *Sunday Night Sex Show* on Toronto radio in 1984, later moving the program to television.
  • A U.S. version, *Talk Sex with Sue Johanson*, aired on Oxygen from 2002 to 2008.
  • She wrote books and a newspaper column on sexual health and safer sex.
  • She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2001.
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Canadian context

Johanson was a prominent Canadian broadcaster and sex educator whose work was rooted in Toronto and reached national audiences in Canada. She is a notable figure in Canadian public health communication and television history.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sue Johanson?
She was a Canadian nurse, sex educator, broadcaster, and author best known for answering audience questions about sex and sexual health on radio and television.
What was Sue Johanson known for on television?
She hosted *Sunday Night Sex Show* in Canada and *Talk Sex with Sue Johanson* in the United States.
When was Sue Johanson born?
She was born on July 29, 1930, in Toronto, Ontario.
When did Sue Johanson die?
She died on June 28, 2023, in Thornhill, Ontario.
Was Sue Johanson recognized by Canada?
Yes. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2001.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Johanson
    Supports: Birth name, dates, nationality, occupation, and overview of her work.
  2. CBC Newshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/sue-johanson-obit-1.6892524
    Supports: Canadian broadcaster role, *Sunday Night Sex Show*, U.S. spinoff, and dates of the programs.
  3. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/health/sue-johanson-dead.html
    Supports: Death date, age, and description of her television work.
  4. The Canadian Encyclopediahttps://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sue-johanson-profile
    Supports: Canadian sex educator profile and start of her broadcasting career.
  5. WebMDhttps://www.webmd.com/bio/sue-johanson
    Supports: Radio and television career details, books, and Order of Canada.
  6. The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/sue-johanson-dead-93-canadian-sex-educator
    Supports: Canadian sex educator role, death report, and public reputation.