Melissa Rivers, known for her resilience, faces another life-altering event with the recent loss of her home in the Palisades Fire. The devastating experience echoes past traumas, reminding her of the sudden shifts life can take.
Rivers, 56, shared with PEOPLE her emotional response to the disaster, admitting to brief moments of tears but emphasizing her coping mechanism of focusing on the next step. She draws parallels to the sudden losses of her father, Edgar Rosenberg, who died by suicide in 1987, and her mother, iconic comedian Joan Rivers. These experiences ingrained in her the importance of perseverance and forward momentum.
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Rivers first announced the loss of her home on Instagram on January 8th, expressing gratitude for her family’s safety and acknowledging the widespread devastation. She also praised the bravery of firefighters and first responders battling the blaze.
Recounting the day of the fire, Rivers describes being at home filming for QVC when she received simultaneous alerts from her assistant and son, Cooper, about the approaching fire. She and her fiancé, Steve Mitchell, quickly gathered essentials for their pets and important documents before evacuating. The realization of her life’s possessions reduced to three tote bags underscores the surreal nature of the experience.
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While grateful for their safety, Rivers admits to regretting not salvaging more sentimental items. Among the lost treasures were her mother’s Emmy award, a photograph of her father, and her parents’ bathrobes – cherished reminders of their presence. She prioritized evacuation, recognizing the importance of not hindering emergency services.
Currently staying with friends after previous evacuation locations were also compromised, Rivers expresses uncertainty about the future. Her immediate focus is securing a new home, reuniting her pets, and finding solace in supporting others affected by the fires. She acknowledges this might be a way to avoid confronting her own grief, but finds comfort in the act of helping.
Rivers credits her parents for instilling in her the resilience she now relies upon. She invokes Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” highlighting her determination to persevere. Her dark sense of humor, inherited from her comedic lineage, provides a coping mechanism and brings laughter to those around her. She identifies this as her “superpower.” While acknowledging the inevitable emotional toll, she remains focused on immediate needs and draws strength from her family legacy.
