Her daughter, Melissa, confirmed the news that her mother had died at in a statement on Thursday.
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Her death comes a week after she suffered a heart attack during an operation on her throat at a doctor's surgery in New York.
Stars from both sides of the Atlantic, including Ricky Gervais, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Piers Morgan, Boy George and Bette Midler have all taken to Twitter to pay their last respects to the comedy legend.
My friend Joan Rivers has passed away once again to quote Billy Crystal... There are no words. Bon Voyage Joan
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) September 4, 2014RIP the mighty Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 4, 2014“We don’t apologize for a joke. We are comics. We are here to make you laugh. If you don’t get it, then don’t watch us.” Joan Rivers. RIP.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 4, 2014Was actually looking forward to Joan Rivers' black hearted caustic routine about being at death's door recently. Now this shitty punch line.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) September 4, 2014Joan Rivers has died. What a sad ending to a brilliant and tragi-comic life; one of the bravest, and funniest of all.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) September 4, 2014Joan rivers . Truly funny . Truly brave.
— caroline flack (@carolineflack1) September 4, 2014She was trailblazing. Hysterical. Thoughtful. We’ll miss you immensely Joan.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) September 4, 2014RIP Joan Rivers. You made us laugh and happy.
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) September 4, 2014A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP #JoanRivers @joan_rivers pic.twitter.com/jnAC5G4AQo
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) September 4, 2014And in addition to being a trailblazer the great Joan always smelled good.Thanks for taking my challenge. I still owe you one. RIP x,sj
— Sarah Jessica Parker (@SJP) September 4, 2014Goodbye my friend Joan Rivers. You were a huge part of my professional life and you brightened up the horizon with your Chutzpah! Sad!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 4, 2014Very sad news about Joan Rivers passing away . A great character RIP
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) September 4, 2014.@Joan_Rivers was a dear & wonderful friend who I've known for 45yrs. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again
— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 4, 2014RIP GODDESS: Hail Hail, a GENIUS has vacated this realm: Joan Rivers has died.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) September 4, 2014Watching Joan Rivers do standup at age 81 was incredible: athletic, jaw-dropping, terrifying, essential. It never stopped. Neither will she.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 4, 2014I am devastated by the death of @Joan_Rivers If ever there was a courageous pioneer for woman comedians it was her! Thanks for the laughs! x
— Jason Gardiner (@officialJasonG) September 4, 2014Loved your amazing spirit and Drive #RIP @Joan_Rivers joanrivers #tolditlikeitis #word http://t.co/XTsvKd9AYL
— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) September 4, 2014Didn't know @Joan_Rivers that well, but I was one of the 481 people she followed on Twitter. So I suspect she secretly loved cricket.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 4, 2014Just heard of the sad passing of @Joan_Rivers such sad sad news one of my favourite comedians. I hope she's up there telling jokes #RIPJOAN
— Rylan Ross Clark (@Rylan) September 4, 2014we lost a great one in @Joan_Rivers - she was funny all the way to the end
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 4, 2014Joan Rivers!!! Oh Noooo!!!
— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) September 4, 2014LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER