It is with great sadness that we report that comedian Joan Rivers and ‘Fashion Police’ correspondent has died in New York City.
A week after her heart suddenly stopped beating during a minor throat surgery, Rivers’ only child and daughter, Melissa Rivers, chose to take her mom off life support so she could die comfortably in a private room.
Melissa just issued a statement saying, “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers.”
“She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Mount Sinai hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.”
“Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers we have received from around the world.They have been heard and appreciated.”
“My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”
Although Rivers has faced many controversy during her 50 years span career, she is widely credited for opening doors for countless female comediennes.
Rivers was born in 1933 — she worked as a writer and fashion consultant before entering show biz as a stand-up comic in the early ’60s. She was famously self-deprecating … often self-critical of her looks and her marriage to Edgar Rosenberg … who committed suicide in 1987.
Joan’s late ’80s FOX show tanked, which somewhat derailed her career. It was resurrected in a big way in 2010 in the wake of the documentary “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”
In the later part of her career, Joan began working with her daughter, Melissa, on a number of red-carpet hosting gigs on E! and other networks. Her most recent and noteworthy show had been “Fashion Police.”
Rivers was 81 years old. May she rest in peace.
