Comedy legend Joan Rivers died on Thursday in Manhattan. The 81-year-old spitfire was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital late last week after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure on her vocal cords.
Earlier this week, she was placed in a medically-induced coma, and then she was moved to life support. Rivers’ daughter Melissa reportedly had to make the heartbreaking decision to remove the machines keeping her mom alive.
In a statement, Melissa said her mother had been declared dead. But was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing. “My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh,” she added. “Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”
The sharp-tongued, no-holds-barred comedian made a name for herself by making fun of just about everything and everyone, including herself.
Fashion Police’s Co Host
Most recently a co-host of The E Network’s Fashion Police, she targeted the red carpet. And gala dress choices, skewering everyone from Sandra Bullock to Queen Elizabeth II (suggesting her gowns were by Helen Keller.)
In a decade that spanned nearly a half century, Rivers was known for her famous line, “Can we talk?”. And for breaking barriers for women in the late night talk show circuit. She was a frequent guest on the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. When she broke out and started her own late night gig, Carson banned her from his show and never talked to her again.
Rivers’ show didn’t last long, but as of late she was more popular than ever. She was promoting a new book, was still talked about for winning Celebrity Apprentice and could still pack a house for her comedy routine.
On the heels of losing Robin Williams, it seems like we have lost a lot of laughter lately. Rest in peace, Joan.
