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Melissa Rivers has shared her experiences following the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting what she lost and what remains safe. Notably, the treasures of her late mother Joan Rivers were not part of the losses.
In a recent interview with People, Melissa, 56, explained that Joan’s extensive collection of humor artifacts had been preserved. About three months prior to the fires, these invaluable pieces, including over 65,000 of Joan’s original jokes dating back to 1950, were secured in a national comedy center. Joan Rivers passed away in 2014 at the age of 81 due to complications following outpatient surgery.
Melissa emphasized that Joan’s more personal keepsakes, such as her jewelry, were stored safely in a bank vault. While some of Joan’s wardrobe has been auctioned off for charity, Melissa expressed relief that the irreplaceable items were secure.
As one of the many residents who had to evacuate during the ongoing wildfires, Melissa recounted her quick decision-making process on January 8. She prioritized taking Joan’s Emmy Award, a cherished photo of her father, Edgar Rosenberg, and a unique drawing created by her mother. “That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it,” Melissa revealed in her interview with CNN. She acknowledged the significance of the drawing, stating, “I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can’t replace.”
Despite saving a few items, Melissa noted the deeper loss of her familial memorabilia. “I had her bathrobe and my dad’s bathrobe,” she mentioned to People. She expressed a sense of sorrow, saying, “Everybody is like, ‘What about her wardrobe?’ But I’m like, I lost the only three things of theirs that I kept in my house because they reminded me so much of them.”
Related: Melissa Rivers Says Mom Would Have Much More ‘Fashion Police’ Material Today
While reminiscing about her mother’s iconic show, Melissa acknowledged its cultural relevance during Joan’s time but suggested that such content wouldn’t resonate in today’s society. She shared her thoughts with Us Weekly while promoting the upcoming event honoring Joan Rivers, reflecting on how much has changed since her mother’s career peak.
For Melissa and her fiancé, Steve Mitchel, the wildfires took a significant toll, prompting her to declare, “When we say we lost everything, well you can’t get it until you see the video. It’s not just my life, but my son Cooper’s life too.” With her son, Cooper, now 24, and both of them being only children, she recognized the profound impact of these losses. She described their situation succinctly, noting that their life now fits into three L.L. Bean boat totes. Although they are facing challenges, Melissa reported that her family is coping as best they can.
“We’re all doing the best we can,” Melissa affirmed, emphasizing the resilience of both herself and Cooper. “Cooper’s made of the same tough stuff I am. And we are all leaning on each other and coping,” she added.
Having secured temporary housing, Melissa is finding solace through humor, a legacy from her parents. “It’s my superpower,” she stated, echoing her mother’s famous ability to find laughter even in dire situations. “I am my parents’ daughter,” she concluded.
For ongoing information about the wildfires, check the LAFD website for local alerts and resources on how to assist those impacted by these events.
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www.usmagazine.com