Jay Leno's wife Mavis to not attend conservatorship hearing as ‘stress’ could cause harm amid dementia battle

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Renowned comedian and former 'Tonight Show' host, Jay Leno, is pursuing conservatorship for his wife, Mavis Leno, who is grappling with dementia.

The latest developments reveal that a doctor has deemed Mavis unfit to attend the court hearing due to her medical condition, causing concerns about potential stress and confusion.

Jay Leno seeks conservatorship for wife battling dementia

According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Mavis Leno underwent an evaluation by Dr Hart Cohen on November 21, 2023. The doctor's assessment highlighted significant impairments in Mavis' short-term memory, long-term memory, and immediate recall.

Dr Cohen expressed professional concern, stating, “The proposed Conservatee, Mavis Elizabeth Leno, suffers from dementia, a major neurocognitive disorder. It is my professional opinion that, due to her condition, Mavis is unable to meaningfully participate in the hearing on the Petition to Appoint a Probate Conservator nor would she understand the nature, force or effect of the hearing should she attend.”

The doctor added, “It is my further opinion that if Mavis were ordered to attend the hearing such mandated attendance would cause her undue stress, confusion, and anguish and therefore her presence at the hearing would be detrimental to her mental and physical health.”

Jay Leno had recently filed to become the conservator of Mavis' estate, citing her progressive loss of capacity and orientation to space and time over several years. The petition emphasized Jay's capability to manage the couple's finances, a responsibility he has held throughout their 43-year marriage.

"Unfortunately, Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years," the petition read.

Jay's lawyer said that Jay “has always handled the couple’s finances throughout the term of their 43-year marriage and will continue to do so until his passing. Jay is fully capable of continuing his support for Mavis’s physical and financial needs as he has throughout their marriage".

A timeline of four decades of Jay and Mavis' marriage

Celebrated TV personality Jay Leno and his wife, Mavis Leno, have weathered the storms of a four-decade-long marriage, marked by love and laughter. As news breaks of Mavis' Alzheimer's diagnosis and Jay's conservatorship filing, their journey unfolds with enduring commitment.

Jay and Mavis first crossed paths in January 1976 at Los Angeles' Comedy Store. Mavis, recalling the moment, confessed, "At the time I thought, 'Holy s—t! That comedian is gorgeous!" Their meeting, initiated when Mavis sat front row center at Jay's set, marked the beginning of a connection that would last a lifetime.

While Jay has described their engagement as not the most romantic, it showcased a practical side. Concerned about insurance coverage, Jay proposed, stating, "If we’re married, we’re covered, so we might as well get married." The couple's engagement lacked a traditional ring, but their commitment to each other grew stronger.

Jay and Mavis tied the knot in November 1980 after four years of being together. Despite Mavis's initial reluctance about marriage, they embarked on a journey that has spanned more than three decades. The couple chose not to have children but shared a home and a life filled with laughter and love.

In September 2023, Jay Leno made a candid appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', sharing insights into their lasting marriage. Jay emphasized the importance of marrying a "normal person" and advised others to "marry your conscience", someone kind and free from the faults one might possess.

Little did the public know that within a year, their lives would be touched by the challenges of Mavis' Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Less than a year after Jay's appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', news broke in January 2024 about Mavis' Alzheimer's diagnosis. Jay filed for conservatorship on her behalf, seeking legal authority to manage her financial affairs.