Melissa Rivers Opens Up About Becoming An Empty-Nester

Richard April 16, 2025

Hey there, let’s talk about life transitions, shall we? Melissa Rivers, that witty and insightful woman, recently shared her thoughts during an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly. It happened at The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust Gala on December 5th. Now, if you’re a parent, or even just someone who understands the bittersweet nature of growing up, you’ll relate to what Melissa had to say. She’s starting to feel a little uneasy about the upcoming transition when her 18-year-old son, Cooper Endicott, heads off to college next fall.

Embracing Change: Melissa Rivers Talks About Empty-Nesting

Let’s break this down. Melissa, who’s 50, is no stranger to life’s ups and downs. But this particular moment has her reflecting deeply. She said, “My son will be graduating from high school and leaving for college. I know he's excited about it, and I’m trying to prepare myself for the mix of emotions that will hit me. It’s going to be a whirlwind of sadness, pride, loneliness, fear, and panic. It’s like a cocktail of feelings that will overtake me.”

View this post on Instagram
Nothing like your baby starting his Senior year of high school to make you feel old. #TBT
Read also:
Emily Compagno Husband Peter Riley The Inside Story You Didnrsquot Know
A post shared by Melissa Rivers (@melissariversofficial) on Sep 20, 2018 at 1:44pm PDT

Mom Jokes and Parenting Tips: Melissa's Light-Hearted Take

Now, Melissa isn’t one to let the seriousness of it all get the better of her. She’s got a sense of humor that keeps things in perspective. She joked with her son, saying, “When you pick your schools and narrow it down, let’s discuss because I’ve always wanted to get my master’s degree. It might be a great time for me to do it.” You can imagine the reaction from Cooper. “His face turned pale, and he started screaming. I mean, that’s the kind of parenting moment you live for,” Melissa laughed. “Parenting tip of the day: Instill just enough doubt and fear in your kids about what you might do. It keeps them sharp.”

The Cycle of Parenting: Torture and Tradition

And if you’re wondering if Melissa’s serious about college, well, the answer’s no. But she did admit that it was a fun prank to pull on Cooper. “As I often say to him, I was tortured and embarrassed by my parents. I’m torturing and embarrassing you, and when you have children, I hope you continue the great family tradition,” Melissa said with a wink. It’s clear that Melissa’s got a unique approach to parenting, one that’s filled with love, humor, and a touch of mischief.

We can’t wait to see where Cooper decides to go to school next year. It’s going to be a new chapter not just for him, but for Melissa as well. Change can be tough, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.

For more exclusive content, sign up for our Closer Weekly newsletter!