After stepping away from his iconic role as the host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno didn’t slow down. Instead, he pursued his passion for cars, launching Jay Leno’s Garage, a web series that ran from 2015 to 2022 on nbc.com and now boasts more than 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube. This show allowed Leno to share his enthusiasm for cars and motorcycles with a dedicated audience.
However, in November 2022, Leno faced a serious setback. While working in his Burbank, California, garage, a gasoline fire broke out, causing severe injuries. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Leno told Variety. “I’m OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” The fire left him with third-degree burns on his face, and he even lost his left ear, which had to be surgically reconstructed. But Leno’s troubles didn’t end there.
Just two months after the fire, Leno was involved in a motorcycle accident, which resulted in a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps. Despite these physical setbacks, Leno’s spirit remains strong, and one constant in his life has been the unwavering love and support of his wife, Mavis.
Leno and Mavis, who have been married since 1980, have weathered many storms together. Leno often speaks highly of their relationship, telling People, “I always tell guys, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be, and it works out.’” Despite their long-lasting bond, the couple, who never had children, has recently faced new challenges.
Mavis, now 77, was diagnosed with dementia, and her condition has been rapidly worsening. In April 2024, Leno was granted conservatorship over Mavis’ estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. The court ruled that the conservatorship was “necessary and appropriate,” as Mavis had been progressively losing her sense of space and time over the past several years. According to documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Leno has been fully capable of supporting Mavis’ physical and financial needs throughout their marriage, but her current condition prevents her from managing their estate plan.
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Included in the court filings is a statement from Mavis’ neurologist, Dr. Cohen, who noted that Mavis sometimes “does not recognize her husband, Jay, nor remember her own date of birth.” Despite the challenges of caring for his wife, Dr. Cohen added that Leno “loves his wife very much” and “treats her like gold.”
In light of these difficult circumstances, Leno has also begun planning for his own end-of-life arrangements. In Touch reports that Leno is taking steps to ensure his estate is properly managed after his passing. “No one lives forever,” the filing reads, and Leno’s actions are deemed “reasonable and necessary for his and Mavis’ protection.”
Leno’s updated estate plan ensures that the couple can remain in their home for as long as possible, with their money set aside to cover household employees and caregivers as needed. If Leno passes away before Mavis, the estate will transfer to the “Leno Marital Trust,” which includes his vast car and motorcycle collection, valued at more than $52 million. The trust will provide income and principal support for the surviving spouse, and upon their deaths, the remaining assets will go to the JDM Foundation, a charity Leno founded in 1988.
Leno’s estate plan also includes provisions for Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, and his nephew, Richard Leno, leaving them $7 million in total. The court-appointed official has indicated that Leno’s amendments to the trust will likely be approved.
It’s hard to picture a world without Jay Leno, but his thorough planning ensures that his legacy will continue, both through his charitable work and his legendary car collection. Share your thoughts and let’s send Jay and Mavis all our love during this difficult time!
