Melissa Rivers Opens Up On Mother's Death & Legacy

In a recent interview with E!, Melissa Rivers spoke out about her mother, Joan Rivers, specifically on her sudden death and the legendary comedian's legacy, New Now Next points out.

"She's thought of as part of this master class group," said Melissa Rivers, comparing her to comedians Don Rickles and Rodney Dangerfield. "Not as a woman in it, but as part of it. My mom loved being a woman. She didn't want to be told 'No, you can't do this because you're a woman.'"

Melissa Rivers also commented on her mother's tough times, including professional issues and the suicide of Joan Rivers' husband, and Melissa Rivers' father, Edgar.

"I honestly don't believe she ever knew how much she was loved," Melissa Rivers told E!.

It was reported last week that Joan Rivers left her daughter in charge of her fortune and left money to some of her favorite charities, including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Jewish Guild Healthcare and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The fortune has been estimated to be as high as $150 million.

It was also recently reported that comedian and longtime friend Kathy Griffin will replace Joan Rivers as co-host on E!'s "Fashion Police."

The comedian died Sept. 4 at 81 of brain damage due to lack of oxygen after she stopped breathing during an endoscopy days earlier.

Watch Melissa Rivers' interview with E! via New Now Next by clicking here.