Joan Rivers refused to take elevators and worked out every day until she tragically fell into a fatal coma which claimed her life aged 81.

The 'Fashion Police' host passed away ''peacefully'' yesterday (04.09.14) at Mount Sinai hospital in New York, but she refused to take life easy in her later years and as well as running every day, she used to lift weights to maintain her fitness levels.

Speaking to Closer magazine just two days before she slipped into a coma, the comedienne said: ''I'm that moron who always walks up the stairs - I won't use the elevator.''

Joan also refused to take her working life easy as she demonstrated last month when she stayed up all night writing a 'Fashion Police' show even though she had to be up early to start filming the programme at 6am.

But the star believed in working hard because she valued having a job and insisted she had no time to rest in her life because she would have plenty of time to sleep when she dies.

She added: ''I've had periods in my life when I wasn't famous and no one would give me a show so now I never take a break. I'll sleep when I'm dead...''

Joan passed away yesterday surrounded by her friends and family, including her only child, daughter Melissa, 46, who later confirmed the news.

She said in a statement: ''It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends.

''My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.''

The full interview with Joan appears in Closer magazine on September 9.