Jay Leno gives rare update on becoming wife Mavis's caretaker after devastating 'advanced' dementia diagnosis

Daily Mail​

24-04-2025

Jay Leno gave a rare update on being his wife's caretaker after it was revealed that she had been diagnosed with 'advanced' dementia.
The 74-year-old former Tonight Show host — who was recently seen driving a tank on the streets of Los Angeles — got candid about the topic during an interview on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, which was released on Wednesday.
In April of last year, the star was granted conservatorship of Mavis, 78, after a court filing revealed that she 'sometimes does not' recognize him and does not remember her own birth date.
At one point, Leno was asked what he has learned most about himself while being by his wife's side amid her heartbreaking health battle.
'Well, I have never been particularly challenged. I was not in the army, I didn't have to shoot anybody. I didn't have to risk my life,' he admitted.
'When I got married, you sort of take a vow — "Will I live up to this? Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife, I'm out banging the cashier at the mini mart?" No, I didn't,' Leno said.
The TV personality added, 'I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it's OK. It's OK.
'It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things.'
Jay explained to the host, 'But I like it. I like taking care of her. I think, you know, somewhere in my life — she's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed. You know, and I need to be there. And it's good.'
Leno said that he will show his wife — whom he married in 1980 — pictures from their past.
'It's kind of fun. I go, "Honey, that's President Obama. Remember we had dinner?"' he recalled, before sharing that Mavis will respond with, '"Oh, not me." [And I'll say], "Yeah, honey, that was you!"'
When later asked what the most 'challenging' part of being his wife's caretaker has been, the comedian replied, 'Well, that's the challenge, isn't it?
'When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day. It's a challenge. And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it.'
He said, 'It's OK, because I feel like I'm not taking advantage — I'm not just, "This person is attractive and sexy," and having sex with them and everything.'
The TV personality added, 'I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it's OK. It's OK'
'When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day. It's a challenge. And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it,' Jay said
Jay went on, 'At some point in my life, I'm gonna be called upon to defend myself. I think that's really what defines a marriage. I mean, that's really what love is. That's what you do.
'I mean, I'm glad I didn't cut and run. I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense. I mean, I would rather be with her than doing something else.'
Earlier this year in January, Leno gave an emotional update while talking to People.
He revealed that he still aims to find 'your moments where you can have a laugh and have fun. You try to find the humor in this situation.'
'I took my wife shopping, I can see she's a little down, [so I said], "Come on, we'll go to the mall."
'So we go to Nordstrom's and I said, "You see anything you like?" "No, no." So we look at the shoes, and [she says], "Oh, I like these sneakers."'
The star explained that Mavis spotted a pair of 'bright-blue sneakers' and he told her to find a second pair of shoes that she also liked.
She soon came across red-and-white trainers. 'So I see she's happy, and I said "This is great." So I got two pairs of sneakers, and [the cashier says] "That's $24. And the other pair, that's $847."'
'I go, "No, I only had two pairs of sneakers. I thought these were $24." [The cashier] goes, "Yeah, these are $24. But the other ones were [designer sneakers]."'
Leno added, 'It looked like the guy took a pair of the same sneakers and used a bedazzler on them, and they were $800. I look at my wife and said, "You like these?" I go, "Honey, you look great."'
Jay then told People, 'It's fine, I'm glad I can afford this and it made my wife happy. It just made me laugh. Just typical. I thought the $24 pair looked better than those, but that's OK.
'It just made me laugh, and I think when you're dealing with this kind of thing, you find your moments where you can have a laugh and have fun, and my wife really likes them and felt good about it.'
Leno jokingly expressed, 'So the fact that it was the same pair of sneakers that got hit with a bedazzler, I guess that's fine. But it just made me laugh, and that's pretty much what it is.'
Back in January of last year, it was revealed that Mavis had been diagnosed with 'advanced dementia,' although it is not known when she was diagnosed.
And in April 2024, Leno was granted conservatorship of his wife.
Later that month, Mavis herself gave an update on her condition as she accompanied her husband to the premiere of Unfrosted in Los Angeles.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she positively stated, 'I feel great, yeah!'
Jay then added, 'Thought I'd come to something fun for a change. Everything is so controversial. Just to come to a funny, silly movie — it's great. I think people will have a great time.
He also shared that he and his wife 'hang out every day.'
'We have a great time. 44 years! So we're doing good,' the late-night host gushed.
The following month, Leno became emotional as he got candid about caring for his wife while the pair attended the Feminist Majority Foundation's 16th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards & Gala.
He told Fox News, 'We've been married 44 years. It gets easier. It doesn't get harder. We do everything together. I go home every night, make dinner and sit around. We enjoy each other's company.'
The couple appeared on stage during the ceremony, and Jay sweetly gushed that marrying Mavis was 'the smartest thing I've ever done.
'We have a lot of fun. People say marriage is difficult. I don't get it. I enjoy her company. I enjoy taking care of her. We have fun.
'She's the most independent woman I ever knew. Again, I just couldn't be prouder of her,' Leno added of the philanthropist. 'I am part of her legacy and that's what I'm proudest of.'
The former talk show host is also preparing to celebrate his 75th birthday later this month on April 28.