Jay Leno, the beloved comedian and television host, recently opened up about his experiences caring for his wife, Mavis Leno, following her dementia diagnosis. Married since 1980, the couple have tackled the trials of this disability as a team. Jay candidly talks about his steadfast devotion and affection for Mavis, particularly through this challenging phase of their lives.
In a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, released on YouTube Wednesday, Jay opened up about what it has really been like to raise Mavis. The piece he wrote captured not only their struggles, but the joy found in their daily lives. Through all the challenges though, he has kept an admirable levity about their plight.
It’s kind of the same thing we did at home, but now I have to feed her and do all those things. I like it. I do enjoy caring for her,” Jay noted, underlining his deep commitment to Mavis. He was honest about how stressful it is to care for her. Most of all, he loves being needed in their relationship, Mavis having always been the strong, independent woman he buttressed his ego with.
Jay often includes Mavis in events that truly activate her long-term memory. She tells us that they like playing flash card memory games, looking through old photos together, and playing bingo. For example, he recalls in living color the time he introduced her to a picture of former President Barack Obama. That same picture reminded them of their once-in-a-lifetime dinner with him at the White House. Such interactions to their past serve to remind them and connect them, as brothers and sisters, to their shared story.
That said, Jay isn’t afraid to confess that caregiving is not all rainbows and unicorns. “When you have to feed someone and change them and, you know, carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day, it’s a challenge,” he explained. Despite these obstacles, Jay affirmed his commitment to Mavis, stating, “I would rather be with her than doing something else.” He said thank you for remaining faithful to Mavis, even after being married for 40 years. He felt proud that he had never left her for someone else.
The couple recently attended the premiere of Netflix’s “Unfrosted” at The Egyptian Theatre on April 30, 2024, showcasing their enduring bond even in the face of adversity.
