Joan Rivers Dies At 81; Melissa Rivers Thanks Public For ‘Love, Support & Prayers’

Joan Rivers has died at 81.

Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, announced the news in a statement on Thursday.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM surrounded by family and close friends,” Melissa’s statement read. “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.

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“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,” Melissa’s statement continued.

“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,” her statement concluded.

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As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Joan had been moved out of Intensive Care and into a private room at Mt. Sinai hospital in New York on Wednesday.

Last Thursday, Joan went in for a routine throat surgery at Yorkville Endoscopy. During the procedure, the entertainer stopped breathing and a call was made to 911, a source previously told Access Hollywood. She was rushed from Yorkville to Mt. Sinai hospital at the time.

— Jolie Lash