Joan Rivers, one of the most recognizable comediennes of all time, has passed away, sparking thousands of fans to leave condolence messages on social media sites and forums around the globe. She leaves behind her estate, worth approximately $150 million, which is believed to be inherited by her family, consisting of her daughter Melissa Rivers and grandson Edgar Cooper Endicott.

Rivers was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn, New York on June 8, 1933. Her first notable role was when she became a guest on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' on February 17, 1965 (despite previously appearing on Jack Paar's version of the Late Show), where she would later become a regular guest host in 1983.

"I always thought [Carson] was the one person in the business who understood me and really wished me well, who knew my real feelings," said Rivers to People Magazine in 1991, "In return, I gave him unwavering loyalty ... I never wanted to do anything to hurt that man."

Rivers was reportedly banished from the 'Late Night' show after she briefly starred in 'The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers' on the Fox Network from 1986-1987, because Carson apparently was upset when he found out her show aired at the same time as his show on the East Coast.

"For the first time in 53 years, I know, by God, that I truly belong. Nobody can stop me," said Rivers to People in 1986 in reference to her late night show and becoming the first woman to host her own talk show.

"An NBC executive, a personal friend, told us, 'We are going to destroy you,' " Rivers said. And People noted that the show's talent booker, Bill Sammeth, lived with "the unstated threat that a Rivers show appearance could mean a Carson blackball."

Rivers was briefly married to her husband James Sanger for six months in 1955 because he did not tell the comedienne that he did not want to have kids before they tied the knot that year. Then Rivers married Edgar Rosenberg in 1965 before she tragically became a widow 22 years later.

Rivers and her daughter Melissa starred in the 1994 autobiographical movie 'Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story'. It was very candid about multiple topics including the suicide death of Joan's second husband (and Melissa's father) Edgar Rosenberg in 1987.

Rivers' ban was recently lifted by Fallon when he allowed her to appear on the debut episode of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on February 17, 2014.

Rivers is survived by her only daughter Melissa and grandson Edgar Cooper. When she passed away on September 4, 2014, she was 81-years-old.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM 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," said Melissa in a statement today, according to a TMZ report.

"[Edgar] 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."