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\nJay Leno shared the emotional challenges of caring for his wife, Mavis, who has advanced dementiaLeno said that Mavis relived the same upsetting memory every day for three years, which Leno describes as the “toughest part” of navigating her diseaseLeno says that despite the difficulties, he likes being able to comfort Mavis<\/p>\n
Jay Leno<\/a> revealed a heartbreaking struggle his wife of nearly 45 years, Mavis Leno<\/a>, experienced due to her advanced dementia.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Speaking with Hoda Kotb<\/a> on the Today<\/a> show on Thursday, Nov. 20, Leno opened up about one of the challenges in being his wife\u2019s caretaker.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cProbably the toughest part was every day she\u2019d wake up and realize someone had called today to tell her her mother had passed away,\u201d the former Tonight Show host recalled. \u201cAnd her mother died every day for, like, three years.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Jay Leno and Mavis Leno attend the private unveiling of the Meyers Manx electric automobile on August 08, 2022 in Malibu, California.<\/p>\n Michael Tullberg\/Getty<\/p>\n Leno described the moment Mavis remembered her mother\u2019s death as particularly traumatic because it was like she was learning of it for the first time.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cNot just crying, I mean, you\u2019re learning for the first time. And that was really tricky,\u201d he shared.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Mavis Leno and Jay Leno in April 2024.<\/p>\n Amy Sussman\/Getty<\/p>\n Much of Mavis\u2019 emotional care involves Leno comforting his wife amid her confusion.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cShe wants to be reassured that everything\u2019s okay,\u201d he said. \u201cNow she really needs me and I like that. And I can tell she appreciates it. The idea that you get married, you take these vows, nobody ever thinks they\u2019ll be called upon to act on them. You know that part \u2013 for better or worse. Even the worse isn\u2019t that bad.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n