Jay Leno Shares Touching Words on Caring for Wife Mavis Amid Dementia Diagnosis

Jay Leno made a touching remark about caring for his wife Mavis Leno amid her heartbreaking diagnosis of ‘advanced’ dementia.

The couple have been married for over 45 years, and the philanthropist, 79, was diagnosed with dementia in January 2024, with Leno having to file for conservatorship.

The 75-year-old former host of The Tonight Show said it’s ‘not work’ to care for his spouse and that he is ‘lucky’ to be able to do so.

‘I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer,’ he optimistically told People in an article published on Sunday. 

‘It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her,’ he shared.

Leno — who shared a rare update on her health over half a year ago after he had a serious injury — also added that fans don’t need to feel sympathy for him.

‘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.

‘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.’