Jay Leno revealed that people are ‘shocked’ he stayed by wife Mavis’ side following her heartbreaking dementia diagnosis.
The 75-year-old former host of The Tonight Show discussed the importance of his marriage vows while appearing on a new episode of the Life Above the Noise With Maria Shriver podcast.
The comedian — who has been married for 45 years — shared that one person crassly asked him whether he was ‘gonna get a girlfriend now’, after Mavis, 79, was diagnosed with advanced dementia in early 2024.
‘I’ve said this a bunch of times, you take a vow when you get married and people are stunned… they’re so shocked that you would live up to it,’ he told Shriver on Sunday’s episode.
Leno — who was pictured on Tuesday with a seemingly swollen cheek — added he was confused by people’s surprised reaction, stating, ‘you’re just doing the right thing because you’re supposed to.’
‘That used to be the norm, and then when you strayed that was the out of whack part,’ he said, reflecting on how times have changed.
Jay Leno, 75, revealed that people are ‘shocked’ he stayed by wife Mavis’, 79, side following her heartbreaking dementia diagnosis
The comedian said one person asked him whether he was ‘gonna get a girlfriend now’, after Mavis was diagnosed with advanced dementia in early 2024; Seen with wife in 2024
‘Now the out of whack part is fairly common, and staying and doing what you’re supposed to do is stunning to people.’
He then recalled how someone asked him if he planned to get a ‘girlfriend’ now.
‘My favorite thing was — this is the most Hollywood thing. A guy said to me, “So, are you gonna get a girlfriend now?”‘ he recalled.
Leno replied, ‘Well no, I have a girlfriend. I’m married. Married 45 years.’
The person went on, saying, ‘Yeah, but you know what I mean.’
However, Leno stood by his beliefs.
‘No, we’re kinda in this together here,’ he said.
He went on to share that making his wife laugh is ‘still one of my primary things.’
Leno recalled how one time when they were in bed at around two in the morning, Mavis told him she loved him.
The former host of The Tonight Show discussed the importance of his marriage vows while appearing on a new episode of the Life Above the Noise With Maria Shriver podcast
‘I’ve said this a bunch of times, you take a vow when you get married and people are stunned… they’re so shocked that you would live up to it,’ he told Shriver on Sunday’s episode
He went on to share that making his wife laugh is ‘still one of my primary things’, adding that he is lucky her dementia diagnosis is the most challenging thing he’s had to face; Seen 2022
His philanthropist wife — who ‘sometimes does not’ recognize him — was diagnosed with dementia in January 2024, with Leno having to file for conservatorship; They are seen 2013
He also previously said that even when he travels for work, he always returns home each night to be with his wife; The duo seen in a throwback snap on the UCLA campus
‘I said, “You’re having a nightmare, go back to bed.” She thought that was the funniest thing; she just couldn’t stop laughing,’ Leno said.
‘And to me, that’s what’s fun. “Oh, I got a laugh out of her.”‘
The funnyman added that in the grand scheme of things, he is lucky that her dementia diagnosis is the most challenging thing he’s had to face.
‘This is that thing of, “Okay, you’ve been pretty lucky up to this point. It’s been easy sailing. This is where it gets a little tricky,”‘ he said.
Leno — who wed Mavis in 1980 — added that he’s been ‘very fortunate’ and ‘very lucky.’
‘The people I feel sorry for are nurse, policeman, teacher, you’ve got a job and you’ve got to take care of elderly parents or a spouse or something like that. I can afford to have somebody with Mavis when I’m not there.’
His philanthropist wife was diagnosed with dementia in January 2024, with Leno having to file for conservatorship.
That April, he was granted conservatorship of his wife, and her lawyer said that she was ‘in agreement’ with the terms.
Jay and Mavis have been married for 45 years, after tying the knot in 1980; Pictured in 1980
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.’
Last November, Leno told People it’s ‘not work’ to care for his spouse and that he is ‘lucky’ to be able to do so, adding ‘I enjoy taking care of her.’
He also previously said that even when he travels for work, he always returns home each night to be with his wife.
