The daughter of Joan Rivers has verified that the comedienne has passed away today:AMP
Joan Rivers, a pioneer for women in stand-up comedy and television, has died, her daughter confirmed. She was 81.
Rivers died at 1:17 p.m. ET Thursday in New York surrounded by family and friends.
“My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh,” Melissa Rivers said. “Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”
The author/reality star/fashion critic was hospitalized on Aug. 28 when she suffered cardiac arrest after her breathing stopped during vocal cord surgery at a Manhattan clinic. For days, Rivers’ condition was touch and go, as her daughter, Melissa Rivers, provided periodic updates on her mother’s “serious condition, noting how family and friends were keeping their “fingers crossed.”
I’ll remember her for her great rant against Israel critics:AMP
Rest in Peace, Joan!
UPDATE:
Joan Rivers' funeral requests (via her book ‘I Hate Everyone…Starting with Me’) inc. paparazzi, craft services, Meryl pic.twitter.com/y1E4uO1RFT
— Brian Rie$ (@moneyries) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers was hoping for a far more interesting death: pic.twitter.com/g7bXbdwx20
— Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) September 4, 2014