Jay Leno Assumes Conservatorship To Support His Wife, Mavis, Who Suffers From Dementia

Jay Leno has been officially granted conservatorship of his wife, Mavis Leno, who has been grappling with a degenerative brain disease. 

The 77-year-old Mavis has been diagnosed with advanced dementia, leading to moments where her recognition of her husband becomes fleeting, as stated by her medical professionals.

Leno, renowned for his tenure as the host of the Tonight Show, has been married to Mavis for over four decades. With Mavis’s health deteriorating due to Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent type of dementia, Jay initiated the conservatorship process in January.

The original petition outlined that Mavis has been experiencing a gradual decline in cognitive abilities and her sense of place and time over several years. While the precise time of her diagnosis remains undisclosed, Jay reportedly delayed pursuing conservatorship as a gesture of regard for his beloved wife.

Jay, 73, clarified that his intention in seeking conservatorship was solely to establish a living trust to ensure that Mavis’s care needs are adequately met if he becomes incapacitated. 

Jay himself has faced considerable challenges, which include severe burns sustained in a garage fire incident in November 2022 and multiple fractures as a result of a motorcycle accident in January 2023.

In the recent hearing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Mavis’ attorney agreed with the conservatorship decision and affirmed that Mavis is currently under the excellent care of her devoted husband. The court-appointed counsel, Ronald Ostrin, previously recommended the approval of Jay’s petition, emphasizing the enduring nature of their relationship—a bond characterized by long-term commitment, affection and unwavering support.