In sickness and in health.
Jay Leno shared rare insight into being his wife Mavis Leno’s caretaker following her advanced dementia diagnosis.
“When you get married, you sort of take a vow: ‘Will I live up to this? Or will I be, like, a sleazy guy [where] if something happens to my wife, I’m out banging the cashier at the mini mart?'” he said in Wednesday’s episode of the “In Depth with Graham Bensinger” podcast.
“No, I didn’t. I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV, and it’s OK.”
The former “Tonight Show” host, 74, noted that his marriage has not changed in the past 45 years — except “now [he has] to feed her and do all those things.”
Despite calling it a “challenge,” he clarified, “I like it. I like taking care of her. She’s a very independent woman, so I like that I’m needed.”
Jay, who has dealt with his own health issues in the past couple of years, told the journalist that he has “to find the humor” in the situation to get through it.
“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,” he said.
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“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 would rather be with her than doing something else.”
During the interview, the comedian shared that part of his daily routine with Mavis, 78, now includes going through their memories together on flash cards.
“It’s kind of fun. I go, ‘Honey, that’s President Obama. Remember we had dinner?’ [She’ll say], ‘Oh, not me.’ [And I’ll say], ‘Yeah, honey, that was you!'” he said as an example.
In January 2024, Page Six confirmed the “Jay Leno’s Garage” star had filed for a conservatorship over his wife following her diagnosis.
He stated in the court documents that he wanted to “execute an estate plan, including a revocable trust and will, which will provide for Mavis and Mavis’s brother and her sole living heir aside from Jay.”
An April report released by Mavis’ court-appointed counsel, Ronald Ostrin, gave further insight into her health, detailing that she “has a lot of disorientation” and often ruminates “about her parents who have both passed.”
Despite having clear “cognitive impairment,” Ostrin described Mavis as “a delightful person” with “a charming personality” who still can “communicate.”
“She expressed a desire to vote and told me a little about her philanthropic work,” the lawyer said of their meeting. “She reposed great faith and confidence in Mr. Leno and relied on him for her protection and guidance.”
As for the couple’s dynamic, Ostrin said it was clear Jay and Mavis “have a long-term, loving and supportive relationship” with plenty of “resources” to give the latter a “safe and least restrictive environment.”
“Ms. Leno seemed very happy in their cozy environment,” the attorney noted, though he clarified that she “sometimes does not know her husband … nor her date of birth.”
Shortly after, Jay was granted the conservatorship over his wife, whom he married in 1980.
At the same time, the late-night legend batted his own health issues after sustaining third-degree burns to his face, breaking multiple bones in a motorcycle accident and bruising the right side of his face after falling on a rock.