The world lost another comic legend.
Humorist Joan Rivers died Thursday at the age of 81 after she suddenly stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest while undergoing a throat surgery in a clinic just last week. Her net worth is estimatedly worth $150 million.
Her death was confirmed by her daughter Melissa Rivers, who released the following statement:
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. 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, "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 comedienne, whose real name is Joan Alexandra Molinsky Rosenberg, made her mark in the entertainment industry as an actress, writer, producer, and television host. She also appeared in several reality series like "Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" with her daughter Melissa as well as the "Celebrity Apprentice."
She was also co-hosting "Fashion Police" on E! together with Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic, and George Kotsiopoulos before her untimely death.
Before making it big, Rivers was reportedly broke and depressed during the late 1980s after she had a falling out with her daughter and her husband Edgar Rosenberg committed suicide in 1987. She even thought of taking her own life as well, until an encounter with a dog snapped her out of it.
Rivers talked about her tough time. "What saved me," Rivers narrated, "was my dog jumped into my lap. I thought, 'No one will take care of him.' ... I had the gun in my lap, and the dog sat on the gun. I lecture on suicide because things turn around. I tell people this is a horrible, awful dark moment, but it will change and you must know it's going to change and you push forward. I look back and think, 'Life is great, life goes on. It changes.'"
The comedienne was able to bounce back from her failures and reached the multi-millionaire status once again in the 1990s. She was given a hit daytime program "The Joan Rivers Show," which earned her an Emmy in 1990.
She also started selling jewelry pieces on QVC, which became her major bread and butter. Reportedly, Rivers was earning $50 million annually because of this.
Joan Rivers is survived by her daughter and grandson Edgar Cooper Endicott.
