It's been one year since the beloved comedian Joan Rivers passed away due to what was supposed to be a routine procedure at the Yorkville endoscopy clinic in New York City. She stopped breathing during a throat biopsy and was rushed to New York's Mount Sinai Hospital where she remained on life support until she passed one week later at 81 years old, CNN reported.
Her legacy lives on through her daughter, Melissa Rivers, her E! series "Fashion Police," her fashion empire the "Joan Rivers Classics Collection" for QVC, and her multi-million dollar estate that she left behind. Take a look at how things have changed in the one year since her passing.
Joan Rivers' Estate
Rivers enjoyed a long, successful career that included two hit shows, E!'s "Fashion Police" and "Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best?," along with 13 top-selling books, an online talk show titled "In Bed With Joan," a fashion line with QVC, and a $35 million apartment in New York City. She left everything to her daughter Melissa, her grandson, staff, charities and her dogs, according to Business Insider.
Melissa was named executor of the estate and listed the apartment for $28 million, which was sold to Middle Eastern royalty in July 2015, CNBC reported. Items from the sprawling apartment are to be auctioned off at Christie's, according to People.
Joan Rivers' "Classics Collection" For QVC
Rivers was known not only for her comedic charm, but also her fashion sense. She was able to turn her eye for style into a $1 billion empire through her QVC fashion line "Joan Rivers Classics Collection," according to Fortune.
David Dangle, the CEO of Joan Rivers Worldwide, continues her legacy through her fashion line and designs jewelry and clothing that Rivers would approve. He shared a note from Rivers' daughter Melissa on his blog, where Melissa gave him her blessing to continue her mother's line.
"For the last 24 years, you have been side by side with her on this journey with QVC," Melissa wrote to Dangle. It is so important to me that we continue to share with others her passion for design."
Joan Rivers' "Fashion Police"
The E! fashion critique show "Fashion Police" took a big hit after losing its beloved host. In the year since Rivers passed, the show has been through multiple lineup changes. Close friend and fellow comedian Kathy Griffin was chosen to take over hosting duties for Rivers, after Melissa called her personally to ask her to join the cast, according to Us Weekly, but she stepped down after filming only seven episodes. Her departure came shortly after longtime co-host Kelly Osbourne quit, citing fellow co-host Giuliana Rancic's controversial off-color comment about Disney star Zendaya's dreadlocked hair as her reason for leaving. On the 2015 Oscars red carpet, Rancic said she felt that Zendaya's hair smelled of "patchouli oil and weed."
The show announced a hiatus and made its return this week with Melissa taking over her mother's hosting duties, as previously reported by HNGN, and even debuted a tribute segment to Rivers titled "What Would Joan Say?"
Joan Rivers Estate's Malpractice Lawsuit
Details surrounding Joan Rivers' death came to light after Melissa filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit in January against Yorkville Endoscopy clinic in Manhattan. The lawsuit revealed that Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Dr. Gwen Korovin and Dr. Renuka Bankulla performed medical procedures that Rivers did not consent to prior to undergoing anesthesia. It also stated that Dr. Cohen took a selfie with Rivers while she was under anesthesia without her consent, and alleged that Dr. Korovin was not qualified to perform treatment on Rivers, according to CNN.
Dr. Cohen, who was the director of Yorkville Endoscopy, was fired from his position and is fighting against Melissa's lawsuit, Page Six reported. No word yet on when hearings will take place.
