Joan Rivers Passes Away at the Age of 81

Legendary television personality, Joan Rivers, has passed away at the age of 81.

According to ABC News, the news was released in a statement from her daughter, Melissa.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. 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 at Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother."

Rivers, the co-host of E! TV's "Fashion Police", went into cardiac arrest during an outpatient throat surgery last week in New York City. Doctors had kept her sedated and on September 2, Melissa announced that she had been placed on life support.

Joan Molinsky changed her name to Joan Rivers when she began her career in show business. Her acting career started when she starred opposite Barbra Streisand before appearing on "Candid Camera." In 1965, she made her first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." Rivers became Carson's permanent guest host in 1983.

Three years later she would leave that gig to host her own competing show on Fox called "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers." The show lasted one year.

Rivers always believed in the power of laughter and made it her goal in life to put a smile on the world's face.