Mavis Leno, the wife of Jay Leno, is experiencing a decline in health due to advanced dementia, with new court documents revealing she sometimes does not recognize her husband or remember her own date of birth.
The 77-year-old’s condition was detailed in a recent report filed by her court-appointed counsel, Ronald Ostrin, as part of a conservatorship petition initiated by Jay Leno in January.
Jay Leno, 73, sought conservatorship to establish a living trust for Mavis, looking to secure her future care through managed assets, especially in the event of his passing. The former “Tonight Show” host disclosed his wife’s diagnosis in the conservatorship documents, which were first reported by PEOPLE.
Mavis, whom he has been married to since 1980, has been facing significant health challenges, according to the court documents. The report noted Mavis, “has a lot of disorientation,” and “will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago.”
Despite these difficulties, her court-appointed counsel described Mavis as a “delightful person” with a “charming personality,” while also acknowledging, “it was clear she had cognitive impairment.” Ostrin described their marriage as “long-term, loving and supportive,” noting that Mavis views Jay as “her protector and she trusts him.”
Jay Leno filed for conservatorship in January. Ostrin stated that Mavis “does not object” to the filing but “consents to it.” As a result, Ostrin formally recommended that Jay’s petition to become conservator of his wife’s estate be approved. The conservatorship petition for Mavis received further endorsement from her neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen.
Dr. Cohen praised Jay’s character and his treatment of Mavis, stating he is “such a nice man and treats [Mavis] like gold.” This was echoed by Ostrin, the court-appointed counsel, who commended Jay’s integrity. Ostrin described the former “Tonight Show” host as “a standup guy” and said that the “private persona matches the public persona he projects.”
Mavis has been known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly for her work with the Feminist Majority Foundation’s campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan. The couple has been noted for their long-lasting marriage in the entertainment industry, which is often highlighted for its rarity.
Unlike her husband, however, Mavis has mostly stayed out of the limelight, focusing on her activism and advocacy work. Together, they’ve formed a partnership that balances public and private life, with shared interests in philanthropy and, to some extent, cars, as Jay Leno is an avid car collector.
The Lenos chose not to have children, a decision Mavis has spoken about publicly, explaining that she never wanted children, which was an unconventional choice that has allowed them more freedom in their lives and careers.
