Jay Leno Can’t Believe Fans Keep Questioning How He Can Handle Supporting His Dementia-Diagnosed Wife: ‘This Is The Most Hollywood Thing’

Jay Leno, at 75, shows no signs of slowing down with his career, despite facing personal challenges. His wife, Mavis, whom he’s been with since 1980, received a diagnosis of advanced dementia in 2024, and he has dedicated himself to supporting her. His unwavering commitment hasn’t been easy, but he continues to prioritize her care.

Comedian Jay Leno, known for generally staying out of politics, discussed life after hosting a late-night show on the podcast Life Above the Noise with Maria Shriver. He explained why he’s moved away from political humor and also opened up about his marriage. He shared that public reactions to his personal life can be surprisingly harsh, especially when people question why he chose to remain in the marriage.

Marriage includes making a promise, and it often surprises people when you actually keep it.

So, Jay Leno is addressing something I think a lot of people are probably wondering. There’s this concern that because his wife, Mavis, is dealing with health issues, some fans might assume he’d be open to… well, other relationships. But he completely shuts that down. He makes it very clear that the idea of even thinking about another romance just isn’t on his radar. In his own words…

Someone said something incredibly Hollywood to me recently. They asked if I was going to get a girlfriend now! I told them I already have one – I’ve been married for 45 years. They just meant, you know, another one. But no. [Laughs.] We’re partners in this. You can’t just say to your spouse, ‘I’m going to spend time with another woman and I’ll be home later.’

We don’t know who Jay Leno was talking about, but hopefully it wasn’t just a random person. It feels awkward to ask married celebrities about finding a girlfriend, even if they’re good friends. And while it’s hard to picture staying with someone for 44 years and then ending things because of a health issue, everyone handles things differently, I suppose.

Jay Leno also points out that people often assume taking care of Mavis has been a huge weight on him. However, he explains that his life has been pretty easy, so this is simply the biggest challenge he’s had to face. As he puts it:

I’ve never faced any real hardship or pressure. I haven’t served in the military or had to deal with dangerous situations. This feels like a significant challenge, and I’m relieved I’m handling it well. You never truly know how you’ll react until you’re actually in a difficult spot, so I’m pleased with the choices I’ve made.

Hopefully, Mavis feels the same way and appreciates him being there to help with things when he can.

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