In a heartfelt revelation, Jay Leno shared insights into caring for his wife, Mavis Leno, who is bravely facing the challenges of an ‘advanced’ dementia diagnosis.
Having been married for more than 45 years, the couple has weathered many storms together. Mavis, a dedicated philanthropist, received her diagnosis in January 2024, prompting Leno to seek conservatorship to ensure her well-being.
Reflecting on this new chapter, the 75-year-old former Tonight Show host expressed that tending to his wife doesn’t feel like work. Instead, he considers himself fortunate to be able to support her through this difficult time.
In an interview with People, Leno shared, “I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer.”
He continued with positivity, saying, “It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her.”
Despite the emotional and physical demands, Leno emphasized that there is no need for sympathy, reminding fans of his resilience following his own serious injury just over six months ago.
Jay Leno, 75, made a touching remark about caring for his wife Mavis Leno, 79, amid her heartbreaking diagnosis of ‘advanced’ dementia; pictured in August 2022
‘It’s not work, because people come up, and say they feel so sorry. I understand the sympathy, because I know a lot of people are going through it, but it’s okay.’
The former late night host continued: ‘I like taking care of her. I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is.’
He said it could get ‘tricky’ in the future but said they have had and will continue to have ‘really great’ times together.
‘There are going to be a couple of years that are tricky. So, the first 46, really great. But it’s okay,’ he continued.
‘It’s not terrible. I’m not a woe-is-me person. I’m just lucky that I am able to take care of her,’ he said.
He said he feels grateful that he is in a place where he can afford to continue taking care of her and her medical needs.
‘I’m very lucky,’ he acknowledged. ‘I enjoy her company. As soon as this ride’s over, I’m going home and I’ll make her lunch.’
Leno is a grand marshal for Love Ride, Harley Davidson’s charity motorcycle ride.
A couple of months ago, he said that even when he travels for work, he always returns home each night to be with his wife.
He said that it’s ‘not work’ to him to be the caretaker to his wife and that he is ‘lucky’ to be able to do so in an interview with People; Pictured in September 2024
‘I like taking care of her. I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is’; Pictured in 2024
The couple have been married for over 45 years, and the philanthropist was diagnosed with dementia in January 2024, with Leno having to file for conservatorship; Pictured in 2024
Leno met his now-wife in the 1970s at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles; Seen in a throwback snap
They have been married since 1980; Pictured in 1980
‘I come home every day,’ he he told the outlet when sharing an emotional update about his wife in September.
He then recounted a recent, domestic trip where he immediately traveled home within the same day.
‘I went to Puerto Rico for the day and [the] plane waited and I came right back,’ he said.
‘That’s what I do. I try to be home every night. So that’s kind [of] what I do.’
In early 2024, Leno and his wife revealed that she was diagnosed with dementia.
That April, he was granted conservatorship of his wife, and her lawyer said that she was ‘in agreement’ with the terms.
A court filing revealed at that time said she ‘sometimes does not’ recognize him and does not remember her own birth date.
His wife’s lawyer also said she is ‘receiving excellent care with her husband, Mr. Leno.’
