Jay Leno files for conservatorship of wife amid reported Alzheimer’s battle
Jay Leno has filed for conservatorship over his wife’s estate, amid her reported battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The former “Tonight Show” host, 73, made the bid on Friday to manage the affairs of Mavis Leno, to whom he’s been married for nearly 44 years, according to court records obtained by TMZ.
A source with direct knowledge told the outlet Mavis, 77, suffers from the brain disorder — most commonly characterized by memory loss — and that the Emmy winner cited his wife’s diagnosis as the reason for his filing. It’s unclear whether Mavis still has her faculties or the ability to look after herself and her affairs.
The source did not detail when Mavis was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which is the most common cause of dementia, and also results in a decline in thinking, behavior, and social skills, ultimately changing the sufferer’s ability to function.
The Lenos — who were spotted out and about late last year — tied the knot in 1980, following their 1970s meeting at the storied Comedy Store. They do not have any children.
In 2019, Leno told PeopleTV that “not screwing around is a huge key” to a long-lasting union.
“You can do a lot. You can leave your underwear on the doorknob for the rest of your life if you don’t screw around,” he said at the time. “We have a good time. … I always tell guys when they meet a woman, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be and it works out OK.”
In recent years, Leno himself has suffered from numerous accidents. He sustained serious burns from car fire in late 2022. Just two months later, in January 2023, a motorcycle accident left Leno with multiple broken bones.
