Jay Leno Says People Are ‘So Shocked’ He’s Staying With His Wife Amid Her Dementia Battle

Comedian Jay Leno said certain people believe he should get a girlfriend to keep him company as his wife of 45 years, Mavis, battles dementia.

The former host of “The Tonight Show” discussed what he’s been hearing during a recent episode of the “Life Above the Noise with Maria Shriver” podcast.

“I’ve said this a bunch of times: you take a vow when you get married — and people are stunned … they’re so shocked that you would live up to it,” Leno said. Mavis was diagnosed with dementia in 2024 and Leno was granted a conservatorship in April of that year.

“My favorite thing was … and this is the most Hollywood thing. A guy said to me, ‘So, are you gonna get a girlfriend now?’” the 75-year-old comedian said.

Leno said he responded by saying, “Well no, I have a girlfriend. I’m married. Been married 45 years.”

The person apparently pushed back, saying, “Yeah, but you know what I mean.”

Leno went on to marvel at how people’s views on marriage have changed over the years. “No, we’re kinda in this together here,” he recalls saying. “Honey, I’ll be with my girlfriend! I’ll be back later,” he joked.

Leno said people now aren’t used to “just doing the right thing because you’re supposed to.”

“That used to be the norm, and then when you strayed, that was the out-of-whack part. Now the out-of-whack part is fairly common, and staying and doing what you’re supposed to do is stunning to people,” Leno told Shriver. “We kind of made a deal.”

“This is that thing of, ‘Okay, you’ve been pretty lucky up to this point. It’s been easy sailing. This is where it gets a little tricky,’” the former late night host added. “I’m glad I’m passing the test. Because you never quite know what you’re going to do in that situation. So I like to think I made the right decision.”