Celebrity News

Joan Rivers warm and classy in last interview

People magazine conducted what turns out to be the last interview with, and snapped one of the last known photos of, legendary comedian Joan Rivers — who died Thursday at 81.

Rivers appeared before the gay, lesbian and transgender group OUT@Timeinc. on Aug. 27 and was interviewed and photographed with People editorial director Jess Cagle. Rivers performed live that night and the next morning had an appointment for what was expected to be minor throat surgery at an Upper East Side doctor’s office.

During the procedure, Rivers allegedly stopped breathing and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital. She was in a medically induced coma until she died.

“When I saw her last week, she was in great spirits,” said Cagle. “In fact, she was in better spirits than I think I’d ever seen her. She was hilarious, of course, but also she just seemed happy. She was in a room of gay people, so that always put her in a good mood.”

Cagle said Rivers “also seemed very energetic and healthy. Mostly what struck me, though, was that she seemed so warm and friendly … I’m so glad that I got to see her like that. That’s how I’ll remember her — an elegant woman, enjoying life and laughter until the last minute.”

During the People interview, Rivers mentioned dying, but in a very lighthearted way, Cagle said.

“I’m grateful for every day I’m still alive,” Rivers told the People reporters. “Everything is still working. I attribute it to eating a lot of processed foods. I think it’s the preservatives that keep me going. That, and I eat as much chocolate as I can get my hands on.”

The interview centered, in part, on her book, “The Diary of a Mad Diva,” which briefly reached bestseller status after it was published July 1.

No word on whether her passing had triggered a sales spike.