Jay Leno Reveals Heartwarming Details of Caring for His Dementia-Stricken Wife

For Jay Leno, it’s always been in sickness and in health.

In the year 2024, the comedian was given guardianship of his wife, Mavis Leno, during her struggle with dementia. Lately, he has shared insights on their round-the-clock care.

In a conversation on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger” on April 23, Jay, aged 74, clarified that when he married, he didn’t make a mental promise to himself, “Will I stay faithful? Or will I stray if my spouse encounters trouble, I’ll be found flirting with the checkout girl at the convenience store?” Instead, he emphasized that he cherishes his time with his wife, cooks dinner for her, and spends evenings watching TV together.

In April 2024, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted Jay conservatorship over Mavis, his wife who is dealing with advanced dementia. Despite this change, Jay revealed that their daily lives remain much the same, just with some additional assistance.

He explained that it’s quite similar to what we used to do, but with a new responsibility – caring for her. There are additional tasks involved, such as feeding her, but I find joy in doing so. I appreciate being needed, and she’s an independent woman, which makes my role even more significant. I feel the need to be present too.

In 1980, when Jay tied the knot with Mavis, he spoke about his effort to keep her memories vibrant by engaging in a photo-based game that involves reminiscing about some of their shared moments.

The comedian remarked, “It’s quite amusing,” as he shared the following story. “I said to my wife, ‘That’s President Obama, don’t you remember we had dinner?’ She replied, ‘No way.’ I responded, ‘Yes dear, that was indeed you!’

Over the course of 45 years, Jay found that there were no regrets in his long-term commitment to caring for his wife, despite the highs and lows they experienced together.

He mentioned, “Taking care of someone daily – feeding, changing diapers, and assisting with bathroom needs – is tough. It’s no walk in the park, but there’s something about this responsibility that I find rewarding, even though I don’t necessarily relish the tasks themselves.

After all, for him, marriage is more than just romance.

He made it clear that he views his relationship as more than just physical attraction. He believes that at some point, the strength and depth of a marriage is tested, and this is what true love is all about – standing by your partner through thick and thin. He’s grateful for not having left her for younger women or other distractions, and instead chooses to be with her over anything else.

Regardless of Mavis’ health problems, Jay is frequently reminded of the love he holds for her and why their marriage has endured over the years.

Or, even more casually: Despite Mavis’ health struggles, Jay keeps remembering the love he feels for her and what makes their marriage last so long.

Jay explained that his wife never explicitly told him not to pursue his career in the public eye, as he always brought her along and they enjoyed every moment together, much like being on a constant date. They’ve been married for 45 years, with the first 40 being incredible, while the last five have presented difficulties. However, Jay believes that there is more love between them now.

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2025-04-24 15:47