Nina Hartley

Nina Hartley is an American sex educator, feminist activist, author, and adult film actress whose influence extends far beyond any single industry. With over four decades of career experience, she stands as one of the most recognized and enduring figures at the intersection of sexuality, education, and civil liberties.

Born Marie Louise Hartman on March 11, 1959, in Berkeley, California, Nina grew up in a politically progressive household shaped by labor activism, civil rights, and countercultural Berkeley. Her grandfather, Joseph Gelders, was a prominent labor and civil rights activist, and her father was blacklisted from his career as a San Francisco radio announcer for his political beliefs. That legacy of speaking truth to power runs straight through everything Nina does today.

After graduating from Berkeley High School, Nina attended San Francisco State University's nursing school and graduated magna cum laude in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing — a credential that informs her deeply practical, science-grounded approach to sex education. She began her feminist activism in the 1980s, describing herself as a classical liberal feminist and a democratic socialist, and has never stopped.
Beyond her performance career, Nina has dedicated decades to teaching sexual education, advocating for sexual freedom, championing performer rights, and helping people build healthier, more fulfilling intimate lives. She is the co-author of Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex, a book covering a wide range of intimacy topics including safe sex practices, and has produced a long-running series of instructional videos under the Nina Hartley's Guide brand. Her educational work has helped countless individuals navigate topics related to intimacy, relationships, and self-acceptance.

A longtime board member of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and affiliate of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee, Nina has made frequent appearances at academic conferences, university campuses, and media platforms to promote sex positivity and performer rights.

She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Phil Donahue Show, and played a memorable role in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 film Boogie Nights. Las Vegas Weekly has called her "a guiding force for a generation of feminist porn stars" — but to the people who seek her out, she's simply one of the most honest, knowledgeable, and fearless voices talking about human sexuality today.