After spending decades in the spotlight as a late-night TV host, Jay Leno is getting ready to say goodbye to that chapter of his life. Now 74 years old, Jay is famous not only for his humor but also for his incredible love of cars—a passion that nearly cost him his life twice. As he looks to the future, Jay is making plans, including a major donation to a museum dedicated to automobiles.
Even after stepping down from his role as a late-night talk show host, Jay didn’t just fade away. He continued sharing his love of cars through “Jay Leno’s Garage,” a web series that aired on NBC.com from 2015 to 2022. The series has become a hit on YouTube, attracting over 3.7 million subscribers who love seeing Jay’s amazing collection of cars and motorcycles.
However, Jay’s passion for working on cars has brought him some scary moments. In November 2022, he had a serious accident when a fire broke out in his garage in Burbank, California. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Jay told Variety. “I’m OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” The fire left Jay with third-degree burns on his face, and he even lost his left ear, which doctors later rebuilt.
But that wasn’t the end of his bad luck. Just two months later, Jay had another accident, this time on his motorcycle. He ended up with a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps.
Despite these tough times, there’s one thing in Jay’s life that’s always been a source of strength: his love for his wife, Mavis. The couple has been married since 1980, and Jay often speaks about Mavis with deep affection. “I always tell guys, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be, and it works out okay,’” he shared with People.
Now, 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, calling it “necessary and appropriate.”
Court documents show that Mavis has been struggling with memory loss and confusion for several years. Her doctor, Dr. Cohen, said that sometimes she doesn’t even recognize Jay or remember her own birthday. Despite this, Jay remains fully committed to her, treating Mavis “like gold.”
Recently, In Touch reported that Jay is also making preparations for his own passing, ensuring that his estate will be managed well 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 funds 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 amazing 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 create a museum dedicated to Jay’s beloved car collection.
Jay has also made sure to 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 that his legacy will continue. Share this story to send Jay and Mavis all the love and support they need!
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