Joan Rivers Death: 'Fashion Police' Host Dies At 81 After Cardiac Arrest
Comedian Joan Rivers passed away on Thursday at the age of 81.
Her daughter Melissa Rivers announced her death with a touching statement.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm 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," she said. "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."
The Fashion Police host faced complications during a throat surgery in New York City on Aug. 28. Rivers went into cardiac arrest during the procedure and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She was kept on life support in the days that followed.
Born in New York in 1933, Rivers got her big break when she appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on Feb. 17, 1965. She later hosted her own talk show, The Joan Rivers Show, from 1989 to 1993. Rivers also wrote several books throughout her lengthy career, including this year's Diary of a Mad Diva.
The Barnard graduate was known for never biting her tongue and making fans laugh with her unapologetic candor.
"The trouble with me is, I make jokes too often," she told The Associated Press in 2013 around the time her older sister died. "I was making jokes yesterday at the funeral home. That's how I get through life. Life is SO difficult - everybody's been through something! But you laugh at it, it becomes smaller."
