Phyllis Diller passes away at 95

Comedian Phyllis Diller -- who paved the way for today's female comics -- has died, TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Diller tell TMZ the comedian died at her L.A. home, surrounded by family. She was 95.

TMZ was told Diller had recently fallen, hurting her wrist and hip, and had been sick for the last few months. She had been living in hospice care at her home.

Diller suffered a heart attack in 1999 and was later fitted with a pacemaker.

Phyllis began her career all the way back in 1952 -- and rose to fame with her TV specials alongside Bob Hope in the 1960s.

Read more: TMZ