Joan Rivers Dies in New York City at the age of 81

Joan Rivers, the woman who once told the Queen of England to shave her legs, died today at the age of 81. The comedian died only a week after being hospitalized after a routine procedure on her vocal cords during which she stopped breathing and had to be rushed to nearby Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. For the past week, Rivers has been in a medically induced coma and on life support following her emergency trip to the hospital.

Her daughter, Melissa, flew straight to New York City from Los Angeles after learning her mother stopped breathing, and she has been by her hospital bedside all week. In addition, Melissa Rivers has been keeping the world up-to-date on the status of her mother’s condition. Today, Melissa Rivers announced to the world that her mother passed away.

“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,” said Melissa Rivers after announcing that her mother had passed away in New York City at 1:17 pm while she slept peacefully in her hospital bed. The news of Rivers’ death is enough to rock the nation. It comes right on the heels of the death of another Hollywood legend and comedian, Robin Williams.

Rivers made a career of making people laugh, and she never held anything back. She’s famous for her often crass jokes and her inability to say anything appropriate about anything. The world will miss her terribly on Fashion Police, she E! show she hosts along with several guests and other correspondents.

Melissa Rivers and her son, Cooper, thanked the world for their support and prayers during this difficult time.

“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.”

(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)