1 of 4 | Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers showin on February 9, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen |
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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Melissa Rivers broke her silence on her mother Joan Rivers' death in a comedic yet emotional speech at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Breakfast Wednesday.
"For me the last three months and six days -- not that I'm counting -- have been different to say the least," Rivers told the audience. "When Janice [Min, THR president and chief creative officer] asked if I would say a few words today, I was overwhelmed. Not just because it is the first time I'm speaking in tribute to my mother, but because every single person in this room could hire me, and a few have actually fired me. You know who you are but I don't want you to feel bad ... but technically I am now an orphan," she joked.
The 46-year-old television personality went on to remember her mother as a "fearless" and "brave" woman.
"I don't mean she didn't have any fears. I mean that although she was only 5'2, she stood tall and walked through them. That is what made her such a brilliant performer," Rivers explained, adding, "She was willing to say what others were thinking and too frightened to admit. She never apologized for a joke and no topic was taboo and she was fine with that."
While detailing the many titles her mother was dubbed throughout career, she listed "legend," "trailblazer" and "bitch," as a few examples, Rivers added it was hard for her to think of her that way "because the bottom line is, she was just my mother."
She concluded her speech by relating what the late Fashion Police host would be doing had she attended the event.
"She'd not only be grateful and proud, she'd be beyond herself," Rivers said. "She'd be sitting at the table, beaming. While very discreetly shoving croissants and silverware into her purse."
Joan Rivers died on Sept. 4 of a "therapeutic complication." Her daughter hired a law firm in October to investigate the death as she reportedly plans to file a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the clinic that was operating on her mother when she died.
A medical report released in November first stated the violations committed by the clinic during the Fashion Police star's surgery.
