Legendary comedienne and fashion police's lead host Joan Rivers is dead. The veteran comedian renown for her witty, sense of humour died in a Manhattan hospital today, a week after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine throat procedure.
In a statement, her daughter Melissa said the 81-year-old passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.
It will be recalled that the legendary comedienne was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital a week ago after going into cardiac arrest during an outpatient procedure on her vocal chords at another clinic, which is now under investigation.
Her daughter announced her demise this evening saying:
'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.'
Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College in 1954. In 1959 she acted in the off-Broadway play Driftwood opposite another budding, brassy dominatrix, the 16-year-old Barbra Streisand. But nobody could write for Joan better than she, or manufacture a comedic personality so etched in acid and agita. Transporting the bold delivery of such earlier standup femmes as Sally Marr (Lenny Bruce's mother) and Belle Barth to the same night clubs that nurtured the young Woody Allen, Molinsky changed her name on the advice of her then-manager, whose name was Tony Rivers.
She has been at the center of American entertainment since her breakthrough in 1965 when she broke through on the Tonight Show. The mother of one, daughter Melissa, and doting grandmother to Melissa's son, Cooper has most recently hosted Fashion Police on the E! network.
She will be missed: Melissa Rivers said her mother died peacefully surrounded by her family
TMZ had earlier today reported that the New York state Department of Health is now looking into Yorkville Endoscopy - the clinic where Rivers had the ill-fated surgery.
State officials said they are reviewing the case, but have yet to launch an official investigation.
Spokesman James O'Hare said Thursday that the department is looking into 'the whole matter.' He declined to discuss specifics.
E! network has also announced that Ms Rivers' weekly Fashion Police series has been put on hiatus. Her daughter Melissa Rivers is the executive producer.
Joan Rivers will be terribly missed by fashion lovers all around the world. Her quick wit and acerbic sense of humor, will be missed.
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