Joan Rivers, a comedy pioneer, has died at the age of 81. The Fashion Police host’s daughter, Melissa Rivers, confirmed the sad news on Thursday.
Rivers died a week after she stopped breathing during a surgery on her vocal chords at a clinic in New York City, which the New York State Department of Health is currently investigating.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers," Melissa Rivers said in a statement after her mother’s passing, ABC News reports.
"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 that both she and her son, Cooper, have been “humbled” by the outpouring love in her mother’s final days.
“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,” she continued.
Rivers’ late husband and Melissa’s father, Edgar Rosenberg, committed suicide in 1986.
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