After leaving behind his successful career as the host of late-night talk shows, Jay Leno launched a web series on nbc.com (2015 to 2022) about cars.
Jay Leno’s Garage, now appearing to more than 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, allows the comedian to share his passion for cars and bikes with his audience.
In November 2022, the former Tonight Show host was badly burned 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.”
According to reports, the now 74-year-old man was working under a car when the fire sparked. He suffered third degree burns on his face and got a new left ear after losing his first one to the fire.
Unfortunately, his luck didn’t get any better.
Only two months after the fire, he suffered a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs and two cracked kneecaps in a motorcycle accident.
‘Treats Mavis like gold’
Despite his body breaking down with aging, passion-related accidents and high cholesterol, the one thing that holds strong in his life is his love for Mavis, who he married in 1980.
“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.” Leno tells People of his enduring love with Mavis, now 77.
After 45 years together, the childless couple started facing some hardships.
Mavis was diagnosed with dementia and her condition is rapidly declining.
In April 2024, Leno was granted a conservatorship over his wife’s estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who ruled the measure was “necessary and appropriate.”
According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, “Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.”
The filing also says and “Jay is fully capable of continuing support for Mavis’ physical and financial needs, as he has throughout their marriage,” but her “current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan.”
Included in the documents is a statement from her neurologist Dr. Cohen: “Sometimes [Mavis] does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth.”
Cohen, Mavis’ attending doctor at Cedars Sinai, adds that Leno “loves his wife very much” and “treats [Mavis] like gold.”
‘No one lives forever’
Only months later, In Touch reports that Leno is now preparing for his own death, making end-of-life arrangements so his fortunes are delivered to the rightful beneficiaries.
The filing reads: “No one lives forever, and the actions taken by Mr. Leno are reasonable and necessary for his and Mavis’ protection. Mavis does not object to the petition and in my opinion consents to it. Mr. Leno is her protector, and she trusts him. This estate planning is in her best interest and protects her interests.”
Leno’s latest filing details provisions for Mavis’ care and discloses that the couple intends to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” using their money for “assistance from household employees or caregivers as may be necessary.”
If Leno dies first, “the estate will divide into the Leno Marital Trust…it will have the Leno Collection and any real property housing Leno Collection. It will be irrevocable, and the survivor receives all income, plus principal for reasonable support. After the survivor’s death, after-tax balance will be distributed, along with the Leno Trust to JDM.”
The Leno Collection is Leno’s collection of automobiles and motorcycles, that’s valued at more than $52 million, and any real property.
Leno also instructed the JDM Foundation, a charity he launched in 1988, to open a museum with his automobile collection, and he’s already named the three initial directors.
In addition, Leno is leaving $7 million to Mavis’ brother Rikki Nicholson, who lives next door, and to his nephew Richard Leno.
The court-appointed official said Leno’s amendments to the trust will likely be approved.
It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno! Please let us know what you think and then share this story so we can send Leno and Mavis a lot of love!
15 Pics That Prove Every Second With Your Loved Ones Is a Treasure to Keep
Reuniting with loved ones, helping those we care about, or a simple photoshoot with our kids and pets can make even a few minutes feel magical. All the better if we take photos of those moments. This way we can be reminded of them and ignite a warm spark inside of us, even if we feel down.
We at <strong>Bright Side have a soft spot for family and friends and we just can’t resist sharing our latest compilation of special moments that people shared on the internet.
1. “My son teaching his little sister how to walk from his wheelchair.”
2. “My husband rooting for our daughter is the energy I need this week.”
3. “Today we celebrated one year of beating a tumor. My wife made me a cake! Yea, my son is trying to steal it.”
4. “Surprised my friend by bringing him to a zoo where he got to pet his favorite animal, a sloth. His face says it all.”
5. “A ‘photoshoot’ my husband did while I was at work. If this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.”
6. “6 months meets 96 years — my Nana held her first great-granddaughter for the first time ever today!”
7. “Family moment 30 years ago with my mom and grandpa.”
8. “It took me nearly 26 years to find my father and his family. This is my newborn daughter and my uncle (my father’s brother).”
9. “I met my father for the first time in my (now) 29 years. We decided to have a ‘1st birthday’ on my 29th birthday.”
10. “I was a donor to my sister’s girlfriend and I’m now a proud uncle to my donor child.”
11. “My 96-year-old great-grandma with my kids and I. So thankful she’s in our lives!”
12. “Our flight got canceled for my birthday trip, and I missed the fancy pedicure we had booked. My husband surprised me the next day.”
13. “Met my internet best friend of 7 years for the first time!”
14. “My friend giving the neighborhood kids a huge box of chalk.”
15. “My daughter and I vs My granddaughter and I”
Which one touched your heart the most? Do you have a story with your loved one that you would like to share?
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