Jay Leno Says Life As Wife's Caretaker Is 'Basically What We Did Before' Her Dementia Diagnosis

Jay Leno is opening up about what life looks like now that he is caring for his wife, Mavis, following her dementia diagnosis, and according to him, not much has changed. In January, he revealed that laughter has remained their lifeline, helping them stay close in difficult moments.

Jay Leno, who has been married to Mavis since 1980, went public last year with her advanced dementia diagnosis, and he was granted conservatorship to manage her care.

In a candid new interview, Leno explained that while the dynamic of their decades-long marriage has shifted, Leno says the essence of it has not. In his words:

"It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things. But I like it. I like taking care of her. She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed."

He shared on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger" that caring for his wife has been more about commitment, saying:

"When you get married, you take a vow: 'Will I live up to this? Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife, I'm out banging the cashier at the mini-mart?' No, I didn't. I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, cook dinner for her, watch TV, and it's okay."

Leno got candid about what love looks like when things get hard and reflected on the reality of being a full-time caregiver, saying it is not easy, but it is exactly where he wants to be.

"That's the challenge, isn't it? When you have to feed someone, change them, carry them to the bathroom, and do all that kind of stuff every day. It's a challenge. And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it," the 74-year-old said. 

Married for 45 years, Leno admitted that while this season of life looks different, his commitment has never wavered. He added that he has no regrets about staying grounded in their relationship:

"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."

Leno previously revealed that he leans on humor to navigate the tough days while caring for his wife. The star, who has been open about the emotional toll of her condition, shared that laughter remained a constant in their home even as their routines began to shift.

In January, The Blast reported that Leno spoke about how the couple's movie nights had changed, noting that they now spent time watching old clips from "The Tonight Show."

"I still make her laugh every day, and that's always fun," he stated, adding that Mavis enjoyed rewatching his old "Headlines" segments on YouTube. "My wife enjoys those, and it's like she forgets that she just saw it, so she laughs again at the same jokes. So for a comedian, that's great," he continued. 

On a less humorous note, Leno disclosed that he had been granted conservatorship to manage her care after her dementia diagnosis last year. 

In a Los Angeles County Superior Court hearing, Mavis's court-appointed attorney confirmed that she was "in agreement" with the conservatorship, assuring that she was "receiving excellent care with her husband, Mr. Leno." 

"I think she's in the least restrictive environment," the judge stated, agreeing that Mavis was well cared for under Leno's supervision. The judge also acknowledged the challenges Leno faced, telling him, "Everything you're doing is right," and recognizing the difficult period the couple was going through.

In addition to his responsibilities as a caretaker for Mavis, the veteran TV host took practical steps last year to ensure his loved ones would be well taken care of after his passing. The Blast reported that he updated his will and trust, increasing the amount of money he plans to leave behind for his family members. 

Leno's 41-page trust, which originally designated $3 million for his wife's brother, Rikki Nicholson, and his nephew, Richard Leno, was amended following advice from a court official.

The official involved in Leno's conservatorship case voiced concerns that $3 million might not be enough, prompting the star to raise the sum to $7 million for the two beneficiaries.

For Jay Leno, sticking with Mavis is not just about loyalty; it is about choosing love every single day.