Comedian Joan Rivers dies aged 81

Comedian and TV host Joan Rivers has died, her daughter has said.

Rivers, 81, had been on life support in Mount Sinai Hospital since having a cardiac arrest in New York last week.

In a statement, her daughter Melissa said she died surrounded by family and friends, and she thanked hospital staff for their “amazing care”.

“My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh,” said Melissa Rivers.

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

Rivers first marriage lasted only six months but her second with Edgar Rosenberg spanned more than two decades until his suicide in 1987.