Stories

Joan Rivers’ Daughter Melissa Wrestles With The Idea Of Adoption At 54

ADVERTISEMENT

Adopting a baby has always been part of Melissa Rivers’ desire, but her age has been the primary obstacle preventing her from doing so. For a number of years, Melissa has had lots of sleepless nights over the prospect of adoption and when she discussed it with people, they felt her chances were slim.

Many of those she spoke with expressed their belief that, at 54, it wouldn’t be fair to adopt and raise a child. Being honest with herself, she couldn’t disagree with them, feeling that any child she adopted would ultimately lose her at a younger age than should be the case.

ADVERTISEMENT

Empathy has played a big role in her decision-making.

JOY, Melissa Rivers (playing her mother Joan Rivers), 2015. ph: Merie Wesmiller Wallace/TM and Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved./courtesy Everett Collection

Others have advised her to look for a special needs child and that it would be better for her to adopt a child that needs special care, providing him or her a befitting life.

ADVERTISEMENT

RELATED: Joan Rivers Helped Judy Collins ‘Get Out The Other Side’ After Her Son’s Death

Melissa Rivers also revealed what her late mother advised her

In her 30s, Melissa’s late mother, Joan Rivers, always advised her to freeze her eggs, but she never chose to, feeling it would be unnecessary — obviously had she listened to her mother, she would not be going through this hurdle of deciding whether or not to adopt a child. Melissa cautioned that before anyone her age makes a decision to adopt, they should ask themselves these questions: is it fair and is it really worth it?

Thoughts of adoption made her cry every night whenever she realized it might be impossible and it’s not something that she takes lightly: “I [would be] a single parent, and they feel it will be difficult for me to handle a child at my age.”

JOAN AND MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST?, (from left): Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, (Season 1), 2011-. photo: © We TV / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Melissa feels she can deal with her struggles at certain times, but at others is not sure what she should do. That question still hangs in the air for her, but for the time being, she’s tried focusing on other things. Obviously, there will come a point, and not too far in the future, when she’ll have to come to a final decision regarding adoption.

RELATED: Tribute to Joan Rivers

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Scott Baio Admits His Life Got ‘Tricky’ After ‘Happy Days’

Scott Baio began acting at a young age, appearing in numerous TV commercials and landing…

4 hours ago

Elton John Says His Sons Are Worried About Him As His Health Worsens

After a recent update about his health on social media, Elton John attended the premiere…

9 hours ago

Meryl Streep And Martin Short Allegedly Falling In Love — Inside Their Secret Relationship

Meryl Streep and her Only Murders in the Building costar Martin Short have sparked up…

10 hours ago

Kathy Bates Shares Her Plans For Retirement After ‘Matlock’ Reboot

After six decades in Hollywood, Kathy Bates is set to retire once she wraps up…

11 hours ago

Celebrities Who Nearly Died In The 9/11 Terror Attacks

The 9/11 terror attacks remain etched in the history of the US as one of…

12 hours ago

The Campbell Soup Company Changing Its Name After More Than 150 Years

The Campbell Soup Company announced the move to change its name during the Investor Day…

13 hours ago