Joan Rivers Dies Aged 81: Internet Mourns Passing Of A Pioneering Entertainer And Comedic Legend
Comedian and TV host Joan Rivers has died, her daughter has said. Melissa Rivers released a statement this afternoon announcing the passing of her mother, Joan Rivers. she was 81. Rivers was said to have died peacefully in a Manhattan hospital surrounded by her family. Rivers, 81, had been on life support in Mount Sinai Hospital since having a cardiac arrest in New York last week.
'It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers,’ Melissa Rivers said in a statement released to the press Thursday.
‘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.
‘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 actress and stand-up comedian is well known for her legendary put-downs and has more recently turned her razor-sharp tongue on the red carpet's worst dressed celebrities, hosting the E! network's Fashion Police.
Both Rivers and her daughter have appeared together in reality TV show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?
Last year Joan Rivers appeared at her acerbic best on The Graham Norton Show (in the video above), along with Jake Gyllenhaal and petrol-head Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Celebrities from the likes of Donald Trump to Sharon Osbourne took to Twitter to share their condolences and their memories of the comedian, who first rose to fame all the way back in the 1960s and has been making people all over the world laugh for more than five decades.
Joan Rivers was an amazing woman and a great friend. Her energy and talent were boundless. She will be greatly missed.
We've lost a true legend today and an amazing woman - a pioneer. She opened up the arena for women in comedy....
My heart goes out to Melissa & her son Edgar Cooper. Love and respect from the Osbourne family to you both.
. was a dear & wonderful friend who I've known for 45yrs. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again
In shock hearing that joan rivers died. She felt like someone who was ageless and would live forever. I still don’t really believe it.
Joan Rivers. What an extraordinary life. Changed comedy. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for Melissa and Cooper. God bless them all
Sad day today hearing about the passing of the legendary Joan Rivers. The world is much less funny now. She was an inspiration.
Joan Rivers, June 8, 1933 - September 4, 2014 - She will be missed.