Beloved former "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno is opening up about finding moments of joy while caring for his wife Mavis following her recent dementia diagnosis. The 74-year-old comedian, who has been married to Mavis since 1980, was granted conservatorship over his wife in April 2024 after her diagnosis in January.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine while promoting his role in "Midas Man," Leno shared a heartwarming story about taking Mavis shopping at Nordstrom. The outing highlighted how he tries to maintain positivity and humor during challenging times.
"I took my wife shopping, I can see she's a little down," Leno recalled. The shopping trip led to an amusing moment when Mavis selected two pairs of sneakers - one pair for $24 and another designer pair, adorned with embellishments, priced at $847.
"It looked like the guy took a pair of the same sneakers and used a bedazzler on them, and they were $800," Leno joked. Despite the price difference, seeing his wife happy made the purchase worthwhile. "It's fine, I'm glad I can afford this and it made my wife happy. It just made me laugh," he said.
The couple recently appeared together at the Feminist Majority Foundation's 16th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards Gala in May 2024. During his speech, Leno expressed that marrying Mavis was the "smartest thing I've ever done."
Speaking about their relationship, Leno emphasized how much he values caring for his wife: "People say marriage is difficult. I don't get it. I enjoy her company. I enjoy taking care of her. We have fun. She's the most independent woman I ever knew."
Through his candid sharing, Leno demonstrates how maintaining a sense of humor and finding joy in small moments can help navigate life's challenges, even while caring for a loved one with dementia.