Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in 1933, Rivers grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
Rivers got her start in show busniness in theater and comedy clubs before scoring her first gig on The Tonight Show on Feb. 17, 1965.
Rivers became a staple on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show through the '60s and '70s. In 1986, the pioneering female comic was given her own late night talk show, The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers.
While standing in for Carson, Rivers interviewed countless stars, including a very young Oprah Winfrey!
On Jan. 20, 1968, Rivers and her husband Edgar Rosenberg welcome daughter Melissa Rivers.
Rivers cares for a very young Melissa in 1970.
Although Rivers was known for her biting humor and constant laughter, in May 1987, her life was shocked with tragedy. Rivers' husband Edgar committed suicide in Philadelphia.
Rivers was adored by many in the comedy world, even by colorful characters like Miss Piggy.
Rivers won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1990 for her talk show.
Rivers was a longtime friend of Donald Trump. She even won season eight of his show The Apprentice in 2009!
Rivers, an hysterically outspoken Jew, shares a laugh with Dolly Parton at a Christmas party in December 1988.
Rivers is pictured here with Brooke Shields at the Fourth Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala on Nov. 4, 1991.
Rivers and Melissa shared a truly spectacular bond. Here, the mom-daughter duo are each other's red carpet dates at the Oscars
Rivers was outspoken about her love of fashion. Here, Rivers poses with Michael Kors at the Fifi Awards on June 5, 2001.
Rivers never forgot where she got her start. Even in her 80s, she performed countless stand-up comedy shows.
Rivers makes another big fashion statement on the Emmys red carpet in 2003.
Even though Rivers was known for trashing the fashions of Hollywood's biggest stars, even A-list celebs like Nicole Kidman had a soft spot in their heart for the legend.
Rivers poses with Julie Andrews and Antonio Banderas at the New York premiere of Shrek 2.
Rivers, along with Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne and George Kotsiopoulos, kicked off E!'s brand new weekly Fashion Police show in Sept. 2010.
Rivers was a staple at the annual Global Green Oscar party.
Rivers wasn't just about biting jabs and X-rated jokes. She also loved physical comedy! Here, she pulls a food fight stunt at a QVC party in Beverly Hills.
The constant comedian, Rivers dressed as Miley Cyrus at the VMAs for her 2013 Halloween costume!
Even in her 80s, Rivers was one stylish diva.
Melissa, Rivers' only daughter, announced her mother's death on Sept 4, 2014. "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother," Melissa said. "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."