Joan Rivers, comedienne, writer, director, talk-show host, and red-carpet mainstay, has died at the age of 81 after being taken off of life support. Rivers – born Joan Alexandra Molinsky – was admitted to Mount Sinai hospital in New York on August 28, after she reportedly stopped breathing during surgery on her vocal chords.
Her daughter and longtime co-host Melissa released the following statement:
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. 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 added:
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.
I’ll have to agree. Rivers was mired in controversy in the last years of her life, with her controversial statements on Palestine and Jennifer Lawrence, but she was one of the most consistenly funny women in show business, and more than willing to poke fun at herself (as you can see in her brief guest turn on Louie). She will be missed.
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