Jay Leno’s world turned upside down when his wife, Mavis, was diagnosed with advanced dementia back in April 2024. The beloved former talk show host didn’t hesitate—he stepped up, got granted conservatorship, and has been by her side ever since. Recently, he opened up about what day-to-day life looks like now and how he truly feels about being her caregiver.
The couple’s love story goes way back. They first crossed paths in the 1970s after Jay performed at the iconic Comedy Store in LA. Mavis once shared that Jay wasn’t exactly a dating pro and never thought marriage was in the cards for him. But everything clicked when they met.
“I always had this idea that I would never get married,” Mavis told People Magazine back in 1987. “But with Jay, I began to realize that this was the first time I was ever with someone where I had a perfect, calm sense of having arrived at my destination.”
They tied the knot in 1980, building a life together for over four decades. Jay has even joked that a little “screwing around” keeps things fun, but his real advice? “Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be, and it works out okay.”
Things have shifted in heartbreaking ways these past couple of years. Mavis’s dementia diagnosis changed everything, but Jay refused to put her in a facility. At 75, he’s all in, handling her care himself. When the conservatorship was approved last April, Mavis’s lawyer noted she was fully on board and getting top-notch care from her husband.
Fast forward to November 9, when Jay showed up as grand marshal for the 34th annual Love Ride at a Harley-Davidson store in Glendale, California. This charity event, run by Harley-Davidson since 1984, has raised more than $25 million over the years.
Chatting with People Magazine there, Jay got candid about their new normal.
“I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer. It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her,” he said. “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. 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 admitted it’s been “tricky” at times, but he feels incredibly fortunate to be in a spot where he can handle not just her daily needs but all the medical stuff too.
“I’m very lucky. I enjoy her company. As soon as this ride’s over, I’m going home and I’ll make her lunch,” Jay added with a smile.
Jay’s devotion is the real deal—he’s pouring his heart into making Mavis’s days as good as they can be. If this story warms your heart and reminds you that true love can light up even the toughest times, go ahead and share it!