It’s been nearly five years since the world lost the legendary Joan Rivers in September 2014. Joan, a comedy icon and beloved figure in the entertainment industry, passed away at the age of 81 due to complications from a routine medical procedure. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, has carried on her legacy with grace and strength. In a heartfelt interview with Closer Weekly, Melissa, now 51, opened up about how her mother’s presence continues to inspire her every day.
“Do you know who my mom was? Seriously, the woman had a voice that could cut through a hurricane. There aren’t many days where I don’t feel her around me,” Melissa joked with a smile. She went on to share how her 18-year-old son, Cooper, has embraced the values and humor that defined both Joan and Melissa’s late father, Edgar Rosenberg. “Cooper has this incredible sense of empathy—he’s compassionate, funny, and he carries a piece of all of us. He doesn’t share my love for shopping, though, which is probably a good thing,” Melissa laughed.
Melissa's Mission: Fighting Stigma and Supporting Mental Health
Melissa, who lost her father to suicide when she was just a teenager, has channeled her personal pain into a mission to help others. Recently, she joined the Board of Directors of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a pioneering organization dedicated to addressing mental health challenges, including suicide prevention. This nonprofit is based in Los Angeles and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center.
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Melissa explained that her decision to join the organization stemmed from the profound impact her father’s death had on her life. “It changed everything for me. Losing someone to suicide is such an unnatural thing. It’s like being hit by a tidal wave you never saw coming. My mom and I were among the first well-known people to speak openly about suicide and its effects on families. We didn’t whisper—we roared about it. We wanted to break the stigma,” Melissa recalled.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Melissa shared how her journey has transformed over time. “What started as a way to fight back against stigma has now become a driving force in my life. It’s something positive that came out of something
