Jay Leno Reveals ‘Toughest Part’ Of Wife’s Dementia
Probably the toughest part was every day she’d wake up and realize someone had called today to tell her her mother had passed away and her mother died every day for like 3 years. Jay Leno is offering a rare glimpse into life at home with his wife Mavis as she battles advanced dementia. In a Today broadcast exclusive on November 20th, the former host of the Tonight Show spoke with Hoda Copy about what it’s like to act as both husband and caretaker following his wife’s diagnosis in April of 2024. What do you guys talk about? Like what are the conversations that you have these days? Well, I mean the conversation it’ll be what’s that? She’ll point something and say something that doesn’t quite make sense and I’ll go no it’s it’s good honey. It’s all right. You know, you hear a noise outside. What’s that? you know, no it’s fine. You know, I sense she wants to be reassured that everything is okay. Everything’s okay. Over the course of the interview, the comic explained the challenges the couple has faced, such as maintaining a sense of normaly for Mavis, whose activism and philanthropy work led to a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. She loves to travel. So, I’m I’m sad that she can’t do those things, but you know, there’s so much stuff on YouTube, the travel stuff, and we watch those things real big with the flashcards. Oh yeah. Well, not flashcards, but see this picture? See this picture? Who’s that? That’s President Obama. Oh, I never met him. Yeah, honey. We had dinner with him at his house. The White House. Be a laugh. Despite the tough moments, Leno assured CPPY that he’s dedicated to Mavis for better or worse. Though he noted, quote, “Even the worst is not that bad.” And true to form, he still finds ways to keep his wife laughing. You still making her laugh? Yeah. Yeah. What does that? Uh, last night I said or um guy goes to the doctor. Doctor says, “What’s the matter?” He goes, “When I press here, it hurts. When I press my shoulder, it hurts. When I press my kneecap, it hurts. Or when I press my rib cage, it hurts.” Doctor says, “You got a broken finger.” You know, she really laughed at that. [Music]
Jay Leno is offering a rare glimpse into life at home with his wife, Mavis, as she battles advanced dementia. In a “Today” broadcast exclusive on Nov. 20, the former host of “The Tonight Show” spoke with Hoda Kotb about what it’s like to act as both husband and caretaker following his wife’s diagnosis in April of 2024.
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