Joan Rivers has passed away at the age of 81. Thursday (Sept. 4), the legendary comedienne was taken off life support one week after she suffered a heart attack during a surgery on her throat.

In a written statement (via E! Online), Melissa Rivers announced that her mother had passed away, surrounded by family and friends.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm 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," she wrote. "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."

A major name in the comedy clubs, talk show circuit, television world and red carpet events, Rivers was never one to shy away from a controversial joke or statement, oftentimes taking on the biggest names in entertainment. From her E! show Fashion Police to countless TV interviews, Rivers often stated her opinions on music's biggest stars, with no apologies.

Remember Joan Rivers' wit and controversial comments with some of her statements on musicians...

On Madonna and Miley Cyrus: "Madonna sang a duet with Miley Cyrus on MTV's new Unplugged. It looked like 'Take Your Daughter to the Clinic Day.'" (via US Weekly)

On Michael Jackson: "The whole Michael Jackson thing was my fault. I told him to date only twenty-eight-year-olds. Who knew he would find 20 of them?"

On Lady Gaga: ""I think this will hurt Gaga a little in the long term. It's brought up again the fact she loves animals and wears fur. Fashion Police is funny. Gaga, of all people, should know that. She worked the same little clubs I did in the Village. She has gay followers and she doesn't know funny? For God's sake, calm down. I think that Gaga, who is making hundreds of millions of dollars a year, with a bad nose, should get on her knees and thank God."

On Justin Bieber: "Someone needs to sit him down and say, 'You are not a big black thug.'"

On Selena Gomez and Rihanna Getting Political: "Selena, who just came out of rehab who I believe is not a college girl.... Rihanna, who is beautiful but is not the brightest bulb in the lamp, they see pictures of children and they go crazy. I think Israel should start showing pictures of dead puppies, and you'll see these girls turn right around."

On Britney Spears: "I can't wait for her career to be over so she can serve me coffee at a 7-11. She's such white trash."

On Christina Aguilera: "You look like a pig. She's not just eating apples!"

On Taylor Swift: "Taylor Swift's knees have been together more than Melissa and I ... if you've broken up with nine people in nine months, maybe you should douche. I say this as a loving grandmother. I say this with love."

On Adam Lambert: "If Elvis and Elvira had a kid, this would be it. He looks like a gal Col. Sanders"

On Kanye West: ""This book be dedicated to Kanye West, because he'll never f**kin' read it."

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