Jay Leno proudly gushed over being Mavis Leno’s primary caretaker as his wife battles advanced dementia.
“I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer,” the comedian, 75, told People at the 34th annual Love Ride at the Harley-Davidson in Glendale, California, on Sunday.
Mavis and Jay Leno at Netflix’s “Unfrosted” premiere on April 30, 2024. FilmMagic
Mavis and Jay Leno at the 1987 Emmy Awards. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images“It’s not a tumor,” Leno added. “I enjoy taking care of her.”
The former “Tonight Show” host insisted that caring for Mavis, 79, is “not work” for him.
“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 OK,” he explained.
Jay Leno promotes the Love Ride motorcycle block party at Harley-Davidson in Glendale, California, on Sept. 08. Getty Images
Jay and Mavis Leno at the unveiling of the Meyers Manx electric automobile in Malibu, California, in August 2022. Getty Images for Meyers Manx“I like taking care of her,” Leno continued. “I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is.”
But Leno — who filed for conservatorship for his wife of 45 years in January 2024 — did acknowledge that difficult times are ahead for the couple.
“There are going to be a couple of years that are tricky. So, the first 46, really great. But it’s OK,” he said. “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.”
Jay and Mavis Leno at the unveiling of the Meyers Manx electric automobile in Malibu, California, in August 2022. Getty Images
Mavis and Jay Leno in 1986. MediaPunch via Getty Images
Jay and Mavis Leno at the “Jay Leno’s Garage” premiere in New York in October 2015. FilmMagic“I’m very lucky,” Leno reiterated. “I enjoy her company. As soon as this ride’s over, I’m going home and I’ll make her lunch,” he said of the Love Ride.
Earlier this year, Leno told The Post that Mavis is “not in any pain” amid her health battle.
“Anybody that’s dealt with this knows that,” he said. “You know, I enjoy her company. I would still rather be with her than not be with her … But is it ideal? No.”
Jay and Mavis Leno arrive at the 2014 Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize For American Humor in Washington, DC. WireImageLeno also shared how the spouses maintain some of their special rituals, despite Mavis’ diagnosis.
“When ‘The Tonight Show’ finished, I would just come home every night and work on the monologue and be with my wife, and we’d watch a movie or watch TV,” he recalled. “And it’s pretty much like that now, same thing, except now I just kind of go, ‘You know, honey, you know what this movie is about?’ You just have to explain.”
Mavis Leno helped Jay Leno celebrate New Year’s Eve as he guest-hosted “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” on Dec. 31, 1990. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Jay Leno at a Harley-Davidson event. loverideharley/InstagramWhen Leno’s conservatorship over his wife was granted in April 2024, the judge overseeing the case said that Mavis was “in very good care” with her husband.
“Everything you’re doing is right,” the judge told Leno during a hearing. “I totally understand this is a difficult period.”
The judge also said that the TV personality is “fit” for the role.
