After decades in the spotlight as a late-night TV host, Jay Leno is preparing for his final curtain call. The 74-year-old, known for his love of cars—a passion that has nearly cost him his life twice—is now making end-of-life arrangements, including a substantial donation to a museum dedicated to automobiles.
After leaving his successful career as a late-night talk show host, Leno continued to share his passion through “Jay Leno’s Garage,” a web series that ran on NBC.com from 2015 to 2022. The series now thrives on YouTube, with over 3.7 million subscribers tuning in to see Leno’s extensive collection of cars and motorcycles.
In November 2022, Leno suffered severe burns when a fire broke out in his Burbank, California garage. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Leno told Variety at the time. “I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” The incident occurred while he was working under a car, resulting in third-degree burns on his face and the loss of his left ear, which was later reconstructed.
Just two months after the fire, Leno’s luck took another hit. He endured a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps in a motorcycle accident.
Despite these setbacks, one constant in Leno’s life has been his enduring love for his wife, Mavis. Married since 1980, Leno often speaks of Mavis with deep admiration. “I always tell guys when they meet a woman, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be, and it works out okay,’” he shared with People.
However, after 45 years together, the couple faces a new challenge. Mavis, now 77, has been diagnosed with dementia, and her condition is rapidly declining. In April 2024, Leno was granted conservatorship over Mavis’ estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, who deemed the measure “necessary and appropriate.”
Court documents reveal that Mavis has been losing her capacity and orientation for several years. Her neurologist, Dr. Cohen, noted that she sometimes doesn’t recognize her husband or remember her own date of birth. Despite her condition, Leno remains devoted, treating Mavis “like gold.”
Recently, In Touch reported that Leno is preparing for his own passing, ensuring that his estate is properly managed and his loved ones cared for. According to legal filings, Leno’s estate plan includes provisions for Mavis’ care, with the couple intending to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” utilizing their funds for necessary household assistance.
If Leno predeceases Mavis, his estate will be divided into the Leno Marital Trust, which includes his collection of automobiles and motorcycles, valued at over $52 million. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the remaining assets will be transferred to the JDM Foundation, a charity Leno founded in 1988. This foundation will oversee the establishment of a museum dedicated to Leno’s car collection.
In addition to these provisions, Leno has designated $7 million for Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, and his nephew, Richard Leno. A court-appointed official has indicated that Leno’s estate amendments are likely to be approved.
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