Comedian, Joan Rivers Dies At The Age Of 81

Comedian Joan Rivers died in a New York hospital on Thursday afternoon, a week after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical procedure.

Joan Rivers daughter,Melissa Rivers said she died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, surrounded by family and close friends.

"My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh," Melissa Rivers said.

"Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."

Joan Rivers had been on life support at Manhattan’s Mount Sinai hospital, where she was taken after she stopped breathing at the Yorkville Endoscopy clinic last Thursday.

The outpatient clinic is now being investigated by the New York State Department of Health, spokesman James O’Hara said.

“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,” her daughter said. “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.’

Rivers was undergoing an apparently minor elective procedure at the clinic when she suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest, according to the New York Fire Department. Paramedics took her by ambulance to Mount Sinai Hospital, about a mile from the clinic, where she was intially listed in critical condition.

The Rivers family made very little information about her medical condition public, finally confirming Tuesday that she was on life support.