Jay Leno Defends Staying by Wife’s Side Amid Dementia

Jay Leno has addressed questions about why he hasn’t left his wife despite her advanced dementia. The late-night icon has stood by Mavis Leno, his partner of 45 years, whose diagnosis became public in 2024.

In November, Leno shared how he cares for Mavis daily, carrying her to the bathroom and helping her navigate moments when she “points to something and says something that doesn’t quite make sense.”

The Question That Left Leno Speechless

On Maria Shriver’s Life Above the Noise podcast, Leno revealed he was surprised by some reactions after announcing his wife’s condition.

“You take a vow when you get married, and people are stunned when you live up to it,” he said.

He recalled one absurd question: “A guy asked me, ‘So are you going to get a girlfriend now?’ I said, ‘Well, no. I have a girlfriend. I’m married. We’ve been married 45 years. We’re in this together.’”

Leno emphasized that he remains by Mavis’ side because it’s the right thing to do, not because it’s easy or glamorous.

Honoring Vows in a Changing World

He noted that morally questionable decisions have become normalized, so acts of commitment can confuse some people. “Staying and doing what you’re supposed to do is stunning to people,” Leno explained. “’Why do you do that?’ Well, we kind of made a deal.”

Shriver, niece of late President John F. Kennedy and executive producer of The Alzheimer’s Project, echoed his sentiments. Millions of caregivers support loved ones with dementia—often without recognition.

Image credits: Charley Gallay/Getty Images

Life as a Caregiver

Leno said he doesn’t see his role as a burden. “I haven’t really been tested in my life. I wasn’t in the army. I didn’t have to sh**t anybody. So this is that thing. I’m glad I’m passing the test,” he said.

In April 2024, Leno was granted conservatorship over Mavis’ estate. By November 2025, he updated the public on her health via Today Show: although her memory has declined, she still recognizes him and seems content.

“She’s not forgetting me,” he said. “She seems extremely comfortable and happy. I enjoy taking care of her.”

Moments of Joy Amid Dementia

Despite the challenges, Leno cherishes their time together. He enjoys small routines, like working on a car while Mavis reads nearby or watching YouTube travel videos together.

“When I carry her to the bathroom, we joke like ‘Jay and Mavis at the prom,’” he said. “She thinks that’s funny. I can see her smile. When she looks at me and says she loves me, I melt.”

A Partnership Built on Love and Commitment

While Leno shined on The Tonight Show, Mavis worked behind the scenes for nonprofits. In 2002, she earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for supporting Afghan women under the Taliban.

Leno’s devotion to his wife shows that love and commitment endure even under the strain of advanced dementia.