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In a heartfelt interview with Graham Bensinger released April 23, comedian Jay Leno opened up about his life one year after becoming his wife Mavis' conservator following her dementia diagnosis.
"When you get married, you sort of take a vow," Leno reflected, approaching his 75th birthday. "Will I live up to this? Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife?" The former Tonight Show host answered his own question: "I enjoy the time with my wife."
Daily life has shifted significantly for the couple who married in 1980. "It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things," Leno explained. "I like taking care of her. She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed."
Dr. Hart Cohen, Mavis' neurologist, noted in court documents that Jay is "such a nice man and treats [Mavis] like gold." Court-appointed counsel Ronald Ostrin described their 45-year marriage as "long-term, loving and supportive."
Leno has found ways to maintain connection despite Mavis' cognitive decline. They review memories using flashcards, which brings moments of levity. "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!'"
The comedian acknowledges the challenges inherent in his new role. "When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom every day—it's a challenge," he admitted. Yet he embraces these responsibilities wholeheartedly.
Court documents revealed that Mavis, now 78, "sometimes does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth" and "has a lot of disorientation." She frequently speaks about her parents who passed away decades ago.
Leno's commitment comes during a particularly difficult period in his own life. In 2022, he sustained second and third-degree burns in a garage accident. In November 2024, he suffered multiple injuries after falling down a steep hill.
"At some point in my life, I'm gonna be called upon to defend myself," Leno reflected. "I think that's really what defines a marriage. That's really what love is."
The conservatorship, granted in April 2024, was established to ensure Mavis has "managed assets" for her future care. Mavis consented to the arrangement, with her attorney confirming she was "receiving excellent care with her husband."
Leno concluded with a powerful statement about his commitment: "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."
