- - Jay Leno Details the Role He Plays in Helping Wife Mavis with Her Dementia: ‘I’m Not a Woe-Is-Me Person’ (Exclusive)

Raven Brunner, Alex CramerNovember 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM

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Mavis and Jay Leno -

Jay Leno opened up about taking care of his wife, Mavis, after her advanced dementia diagnosis

He shared how he helps Mavis, whom he married in 1980, while speaking with PEOPLE at the 34th Annual Love Ride

“I enjoy taking care of her,” he told PEOPLE on Nov. 9

Jay Leno is sharing how he helps his wife, Mavis, after she was diagnosed with advanced dementia in April 2024.

While speaking with PEOPLE at the 34th Annual Love Ride on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Harley-Davidson of Glendale in California, the comedian, 75, opened up about taking care of Mavis, whom he married in 1980.

"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 says.

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Jay Leno in September 2025

Jay continued to dispel a misconception about their relationship, saying, "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," the former late-night host adds.

"There are going to be a couple of years that are tricky. So, the first 46, really great. But it's okay. It's not terrible. I'm not a woe-is-me person. I'm just lucky that I am able to take care of her," he says.

Jay then shared his gratitude for being in a position where he can afford to take care of his wife and her medical needs. "I'm very lucky," he acknowledges. "I enjoy her company. As soon as this ride's over, I’m going home and I’ll make her lunch."

Jay is a grand marshal for Love Ride, which is Harley-Davidson's charity motorcycle ride. According to the event’s website, it has raised over $25 million for charities since being founded in 1984.

In September, Jay told PEOPLE that even when he travels for work, he always makes sure he’s home at night.

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Mavis and Jay Leno at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

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"I come home every day. I went to Puerto Rico for the day and [the] plane waited and I came right back," he said. "That's what I do. I try to be home every night. So that's kind [of] what I do."

In April 2024, the former television host was granted conservatorship of his wife. Mavis' lawyer said at the time that she was "in agreement" with the conservatorship and noted that she is "receiving excellent care with her husband, Mr. Leno.”

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