RIP: Joan Rivers Dead at 81

Controversial comic Joan Rivers has died at the age of 81 in the wake of a medical treatment gone wrong that left her on life support. Rivers went into cardiac arrest on August 28, while undergoing a minor throat procedure at an edoscopy clinic. The comedienne was moved to New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital where, it was reported, she was put into a medically induced coma and was put on life support. On Thursday, September 4th, her daughter Melissa Rivers said in a 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,” adding “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.”

In a career that spanned five decades, the comedienne both greatly inspired some and deeply offended others. Refusing to apologize for jokes when people found them tasteless and offensive, Joan Rivers also defended her fellow comedians who got into the same hot water.

Just this past July, while promoting her new book, “Diary of a Mad Diva”, Rivers became very annoyed with the attempts of CNN interviewer Fredricka Whitfield to bring up her reputation for being “mean” and to delve into why her comedy offends some. Refusing to be put on the defensive, Rivers walked out on the interview.

Joan Rivers is survived by her daughter, Melissa, and grandson, Cooper. Melissa Rivers publicly expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of condolences at her mother’s passing and said: “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.”