Ruth Fowler

Ruth Fowler
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Caroline Paterson
Duration	1994–1999
First appearance	Episode 1006 28 July 1994 (1994-07-28)
Last appearance	Episode 1736 11 February 1999 (1999-02-11)
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	Barbara Emile
In-universe information Occupation Nursery assistant Foster carer Family Fowler Father Hugh Aitken Mother Maureen Aitken Brothers John Aitken Sisters Susan Aitken Husband Mark Fowler (1995–1999) Adoptive daughters Jessie Moore (foster)

Ruth Aitken (also Fowler) is a fictional character from the popular British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Caroline Paterson from 1994 to 1999. Ruth was Mark Fowler (Todd Carty)'s ex-wife and she is far more comfortable with his HIV status than many of his other girlfriends. However, their marriage eventually disintegrates due to Mark's habit of shutting her out and his inability to give Ruth a child. They split and she strays with Mark's cousin, Conor Flaherty (Seán Gleeson). Her betrayal deeply hurts Mark but it also gives her the chance to be a mother as she becomes pregnant with Conor's child.