Joan Rivers, a raucous and often-ubiquitous comedic presence on TV and nightclubs since the 1960s, has died. She was 81.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers,” daughter Melissa said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“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. 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.”
Rivers stopped breathing during a surgical procedure on her vocal cords last week and had to be rushed from the clinic to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Her daughter, Melissa immediately flew from Los Angeles to the Manhattan medical facility, where Joan reportedly had been placed in a medically induced coma.
In a statement over the weekend, Melissa Rivers said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed,” and thanked those who expressed their support as her mother fought for her life.