Melissa Rivers, the 56-year-old TV personality, opened up about the emotional toll of losing her home in the destructive wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the personal loss, Rivers shared that, despite the devastating circumstances, she managed to save a few irreplaceable items from her late mother Joan Rivers’ legacy.
A Mother’s Emmy and Family Keepsakes Saved
Speaking to CNN, Rivers detailed how she had made a mental checklist of important items to grab while evacuating.
“I made sure we got passports, birth certificates, medication, clothing,” she explained.
However, as the reality of the situation set in, she realized that they only had what they could carry.
Rivers mentioned that, amid the chaos, she managed to grab some essentials like pet food, but it was the personal items she was able to save that meant the most to her.
“I grabbed my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad, and a drawing my mother did of me and my son,” Rivers emotionally shared.
She noted that while photographs could be replaced, her mother’s artwork was a priceless keepsake she couldn’t afford to lose.
The Pacific Palisades Wiped Off the Map
The wildfires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, have caused unimaginable destruction in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where Rivers’ home once stood.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the disaster, Rivers called the town “wiped off the map,” acknowledging the widespread devastation felt by residents, including celebrities like Tina Knowles, Anthony Hopkins, and others who have also lost their homes.
Despite the loss, Rivers expressed her gratitude for the safety of her family and pets.
She took to Instagram to reassure her followers, writing, “My family and I have safely evacuated, and we are deeply grateful to be unharmed.”
She also extended her thanks to the firefighters and first responders who risked their lives to protect others.
Celebrity Losses in the Wake of the L.A. Fires
Rivers’ story is just one of many in the wake of the destructive fires.
Other celebrities, such as Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles, have also lost their homes in the raging infernos.
Candy Spelling’s Malibu home and several others have been destroyed, leaving many in the community grappling with the loss.
According to the Los Angeles Times, around 5,300 structures were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire alone, with additional fires, including the Eaton fire and Kenneth fire, causing further damage across Southern California.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley described the Palisades fire as “one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles.”
A Total of 9,000 Structures Damaged or Destroyed
As the fires continue to devastate the region, the total number of destroyed or damaged structures has reached around 9,000, and approximately 130,000 residents remain under evacuation orders.
The fires began on Tuesday and have continued to spread, with thousands of families, including those in the entertainment industry, facing the unimaginable challenge of rebuilding their lives.