Cher Left "Heartbroken" After Comedienne Joan Rivers Dies Aged 81

Singer/actress Cher tweeted a "get well" message to Joan Rivers last week after the comedienne was rushed to hospital, having suddenly stopped breathing during surgery on her vocal chords. Soon after, Rivers was placed on life support, leading Cher to tweet that she's "still betting on her".

Sadly, the 81-year-old comedienne died today.

Cher took to Twitter shortly after the news broke, writing that she was "heartbroken" about Rivers' passing and how Rivers had inspired her to become a stronger woman: "Am heartbroken about Joan. When I was young, I was going through a tough time and I thought about Joan. She had told stories about her tough times - I got stronger".

Cher was a guest multiple times on Rivers' television shows in the 1980's. At the time, the two were friends. However, the pair became unfriendly to one-another for over a decade, before mutual comedienne friend Kathy Griffin reunited the two.

Cher directed a tweet at Griffin, thanking her for reuniting her with Rivers: "Kathleen, I can never thank you enough for bringing Joan to the house that night. You two together is something that I'll never forget. Two girls in rare form."

Rest in peace, Joan.