After spending decades as a famous late-night TV host, Jay Leno is now getting ready for the final chapter of his life. At 74 years old, Jay is well-known not only for his comedy but also for his deep love of cars—a passion that has almost cost him his life twice. Now, as he looks ahead, Jay is making important decisions, including a generous donation to a museum dedicated to his beloved automobiles.
Even after stepping down from his successful career as a late-night talk show host, Jay didn’t leave the spotlight completely. He continued to share his passion for cars through his show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.” The series aired on NBC.com from 2015 to 2022 and has since become a hit on YouTube, where more than 3.7 million subscribers tune in to see Jay’s incredible collection of cars and motorcycles.
But Jay’s love for working on cars has also brought him some serious trouble. In November 2022, he had a terrifying accident when a fire broke out in his garage in Burbank, California. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Jay told Variety at the time. “I am 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 doctors later reconstructed.
As if that wasn’t enough, just two months later, Jay had another accident. This time, he crashed on his motorcycle, breaking his collarbone, cracking two ribs, and injuring his kneecaps.
Despite these tough times, one thing has always remained constant in Jay’s life: his deep love for his wife, Mavis. They’ve been married since 1980, and Jay often talks about Mavis with great admiration. “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 okay,’” he shared with People magazine.
However, after 45 years together, Jay and Mavis are facing a new and heartbreaking challenge. Mavis, who is now 77 years old, has been diagnosed with dementia, and her condition is getting worse quickly. In April 2024, a judge from the Los Angeles Superior Court granted Jay conservatorship over Mavis’ estate, saying the decision was “necessary and appropriate.”
Court documents show that Mavis has been struggling with memory loss and confusion for several years. Her neurologist, Dr. Cohen, noted that sometimes she doesn’t even recognize Jay or remember her own birthday. Despite this, Jay remains fully devoted, caring for Mavis with all the love and tenderness he can, treating her “like gold.”
Recently, a report from In Touch revealed that Jay is also preparing for his own passing, making sure his estate will be well managed and that his loved ones will be taken care of. His estate plan includes careful arrangements for Mavis’ care, with plans for them to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” using their money to hire any help they might need.
If Jay passes away before Mavis, his estate will be divided into the Leno Marital Trust, which includes his impressive collection of cars and motorcycles, valued at over $52 million. After both Jay and Mavis are gone, the remaining assets will be given to the JDM Foundation, a charity Jay started in 1988. This foundation will be responsible for creating a museum dedicated to Jay’s beloved car collection.
On top of these plans, Jay has also set aside $7 million for Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, and his nephew, Richard Leno. A court official has indicated that these changes to Jay’s estate are likely to be approved.
It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno, but he’s making sure his legacy will live on. Share this story to send Jay and Mavis all the love and support they need!
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