Watch Joan Rivers Recall the Best Parenting Advice She'd Ever Received

Comic legend passed away early Thursday afternoon in New York City

It goes without saying that Joan Rivers' bond with her only child, Melissa, was one of the strongest, closest mother-daughter relationships the world had seen over the last several decades.

Melissa made the tragic announcement Thursday that the Fashion Police host had passed away, at the age of 81, after suffering complications from a throat procedure last week.

And now E! News has obtained a clip showing the legendary comedian opening up about parenthood and the early struggles she faced with her newborn girl.

When asked who gave her the best parenting advice, she explained, "My pediatrician because I was working a lot of nightclubs and I would come home and I would cry and I would say, 'I don't see the child because she's asleep,' and he said, 'Wake her up and spend time together and let her sleep during the day the way you do.'"

She added, "He said, 'The time together is what counts, not the schedule.' And that's what started our real bonding."

Joan also shared the most surprising thing she learned since becoming a mother:

"That I gave birth to my best friend," she shared with tears in her eyes.

Melissa's statement Thursday read as follows: "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. 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 continued, "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."