Jay Leno has addressed a common misconception about his responsibility in caring for his wife, who was diagnosed with dementia last year.
The former late-night television host opened up about his life and the experience of looking after his wife in a recent interview.
His wife, Mavis, received a diagnosis of advanced dementia in April 2024. Leno has shared his perspective on the situation and their relationship since the diagnosis.
Having been married to Mavis since the 1980s, Leno emphasized that he takes pleasure in caring for her and explained how he manages that responsibility.
In a conversation with PEOPLE, he stated: “I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer. It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her.”
He rejected the notion that caring for his wife due to her declining health is burdensome ‘work’.
He elaborated: “It’s not work, because people come up, and say they feel so sorry. I understand the sympathy, because I know a lot of people are going through it, but it’s okay.
“I like taking care of her. I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is.
“There are going to be a couple of years that are tricky. So, the first 46, really great. But it’s okay. It’s not terrible. I’m not a woe-is-me person. I’m just lucky that I am able to take care of her.”
Leno admitted that he is fortunate to be in a position to provide for someone with a significant medical condition like dementia.
He is aware of his financial privilege, which allows him to care for his wife, and mentioned that after the interview, he planned to return home to prepare lunch for her.
Leno also emphasized that despite his work-related travel, he makes it a priority to return home to his wife the same day whenever possible.
In a discussion with the publication in September, he remarked: “I come home every day. I went to Puerto Rico for the day and [the] plane waited and I came right back.
“That’s what I do. I try to be home every night. So that’s kind [of] what I do.”