Who is Jay Leno’s philanthropist wife of 44 years, Mavis Leno? The ex Tonight Show host was granted conservatorship of his 77-year-old partner, after she was diagnosed with dementia
Jay Leno was officially granted conservatorship of his wife, Mavis Leno, on Tuesday, amid her ongoing struggles with degenerative brain disease.
Mavis, 77, has been diagnosed with advanced dementia and “sometimes does not know her husband”, according to her doctors.
“Unfortunately, Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years,” read the original petition.
While it’s unclear when Mavis was first diagnosed, her husband reportedly delayed seeking conservatorship “out of respect to her”.
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During Tuesday’s hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court, an attorney for Mavis agreed with the conservatorship decision and said his client is “receiving excellent care with her husband”, according to People.
Earlier this month, Mavis’ court-appointed counsel, Ronald Ostrin, recommended the approval of Jay’s petition. He also described their relationship as “long-term, loving and supportive”.
Here’s what else we know about Mavis Leno.
Where is Mavis Leno from?
According to reports, Mavis Leno was born in San Francisco, California, on September 5, 1946.
She’s a philanthropist
Mavis has been involved in various philanthropic causes over the years. Per People, she’s been a part of the Feminist Majority Foundation’s board of directors since 1997. She’s also the chair of the organisation’s campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan. The campaign for Afghan Women and Girls was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, as seen on the foundation’s website.
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How did Jay Leno meet Mavis Leno?
In 2014, Mavis told the Los Angeles Times that she met her then future husband at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles in 1976. “I had gone to the Comedy Store with my girlfriend because I was writing comedy with some partners,” she told the publication. “Friends kept saying, ‘You have to hang out at the Comedy Store and the Improv. You’ll meet people who can give you jobs.’ The first time I went, they sat us front row centre – that means you’re this far from the comic. And there was Jay.”
When did Jay Leno and Mavis Leno get married?
After four years of dating, the lovebirds tied the knot in November 1980, writes Us Weekly. They don’t have any kids together.
Additional reporting by Faye Bradley.
- Jay Leno was officially granted conservatorship of his wife Mavis amid her ongoing struggles with advanced dementia – she ‘sometimes does not know her husband’
- Mavis has been involved in various philanthropic causes, joining the Feminist Majority Foundation’s board of directors in 1997 and the organisation’s campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan