Joan Rivers secretly battled bulimia for most of her adult life, a biographer has claimed – while claiming the comedian “lived on mints” to curb her appetite.
The late star’s career is put under the microscope in the second season of Vice TV’s The Dark Side of Comedy, with fellow comedians lifting the lid on her obsession with body image and her struggle to stay young in order to survive in a male-dominated industry. .
Speaking in an upcoming episode of the docu-series, biographer Leslie Bennetts, who published The Life, Loves, Losses and Liberation of Joan Rivers in 2016, claimed that Rivers constantly struggled with her figure – while other celebrities said she was short. -respect contributed to her becoming a ‘caricature’.
“Joan was always incredibly paranoid about her weight, and she was bulimic for most of her adult life,” Bennetts said.
Joan Rivers was “paranoid” about her weight and secretly struggled with bulimia in her adult life
The late star – pictured with Kathy Griffin at Comedy Central’s 2009 roast of Joan Rivers – struggled with body image issues
“Her friends claimed she was living off of Altoid mints and just didn’t eat food.”
Sherri Shephard of The View pointed out that the comedy industry had an aging problem when Rivers was early in her career in the 1950s and 1960s, which affected Rivers’ attitude toward cosmetic procedures.
“When Joan started standing, you started looking your age, you don’t get the reserves,” she said.
“It really made Joan Rivers obsessed with the way she looked because Joan had to deal with fear and she also dealt with insecurity.”
“When you walk in and you start thinking, ‘Oh my God, there’s something wrong with me.’ I have too much of a beard, my nose is too wide,” you can become addicted.”
Comedian Nikki Glaser added: “That’s the dark side of comedy, there’s chronically low self-esteem in every good comedian, and it doesn’t go away no matter how successful you are.”
Rivers has been open about going under the knife and has been a patient of plastic surgeon Steven Hoeflin since 1983.
Her mother accompanied her to her first procedure – a nose job – while she was still in college.
The queen of comedy has been candid about her plastic surgery and underwent her first procedure while still in college
Rivers’ face – pictured left in 1991 and right in 2010 – has changed dramatically over the course of her five-decade show business career
She was a big advocate for cosmetic manufacturers and encouraged others to go under the knife
Rivers’ next surgery was an eye lift in 1965 when she was in her 30s, in an attempt to advance her career.
Speaking to DailyMail.com in 2007, she said she “believes in plastic surgery”, adding: “Eventually you’ll look in the mirror and you’ll know. You’ll hit 40 and say, “that’s not quite right.”
“Is there anyone who thinks they don’t like their nose?” Do something about it! You go through life once. Fix your teeth!’
Rivers added: ‘My motto is ‘better a new face out of an old car than an old face out of a new car’. Spend your money on you.’
Speaking about her appearance in her later years, Glaser said, “Her face looked like that because she wanted people to like her. She turned into a caricature of herself, they didn’t take her seriously.
Biographer Leslie Bennetts claimed that Rivers suffered from bulimia and ate peppermints to suppress her appetite
Comedian Nikki Glasser said Rivers had become a ‘caricature of herself’ thanks to her surgeries
Rivers died on September 4, 2014, a week after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine throat procedure
“Women in entertainment disappear as they age, the only reason we leave is because no one wants us anymore.” She was an older woman in a predominantly male profession.’
Rivers died in a Manhattan hospital on September 4, 2014, a week after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine throat procedure.
Her daughter Melissa said in a statement that she died peacefully, surrounded by her family.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Joan Rivers,” she wrote at the time.
“She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM surrounded by family and close friends.” My son and I want to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they gave my mother.
“Cooper and I have been humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers we have received from around the world. They are listened to and appreciated.’
Melissa added: “My mother’s greatest joy in life was making people laugh. Although it’s hard to do right now, I know her last wish would be for us to get back to laughing soon.’