Jay Leno, the former Tonight Show host and a beloved figure in American entertainment, may have left late-night television behind, but his passion for cars has remained unwavering. After stepping away from his successful career as a TV host, Leno launched Jay Leno’s Garage in 2015, a web series that ran until 2022 on nbc.com and YouTube, where it attracted over 3.7 million subscribers. The series allowed Leno to share his love for cars and motorcycles with an eager audience.

However, in November 2022, tragedy struck. While working in his Burbank, California, garage, a gasoline fire broke out, leaving Leno badly burned. He suffered third-degree burns on his face and even lost his left ear, which had to be surgically replaced. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire, but I’m OK,” Leno told Variety at the time. “I just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” Despite the severity of the accident, Leno’s resilient spirit helped him recover.

Unfortunately, his bad luck didn’t end there. Just two months after the fire, Leno was involved in a motorcycle accident, which left him with a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and fractured kneecaps. Despite these setbacks, Leno’s love for his wife, Mavis, and his passion for cars continued to carry him through tough times.

Leno married Mavis in 1980, and the couple, who never had children, have enjoyed a long-lasting relationship. “I always tell guys to marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be,” Leno told People magazine, reflecting on their enduring bond. Mavis, now 77, has been diagnosed with dementia, and her health has been rapidly declining in recent years. In April 2024, Leno was granted conservatorship over her estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. The court ruled that the measure was “necessary and appropriate,” given Mavis’ ongoing struggles with memory and cognition.

According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Mavis had been “progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.” Her neurologist, Dr. Cohen, noted in the filing that sometimes Mavis “does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth.” Despite these challenges, the doctor added that Leno “loves his wife very much” and “treats her like gold,” continuing to support her both emotionally and financially, just as he has throughout their marriage.

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With Mavis’ health declining, Leno has begun making end-of-life preparations for both of them. In Touch reports that Leno has been updating his estate plans to ensure that his fortunes, particularly his prized collection of cars, are managed properly after his passing. “No one lives forever,” the filing reads, “and the actions taken by Mr. Leno are reasonable and necessary for his and Mavis’ protection.” Mavis, who fully trusts her husband, has agreed to the arrangements.

Leno’s updated estate plan ensures that the couple can remain in their home for as long as possible, using their wealth to hire caregivers and household employees as needed. Should Leno pass away first, his estate will be divided into the “Leno Marital Trust,” which includes his impressive car and motorcycle collection, valued at over $52 million. The trust will also include any properties housing his collection, with the income supporting the surviving spouse. After both Leno and Mavis pass, the remaining assets will be distributed to the JDM Foundation, a charity Leno founded in 1988.

In addition to securing Mavis’ future, Leno’s estate plan also includes provisions for his family. He is leaving $7 million to Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, and to his nephew, Richard Leno. His estate plans also instruct the JDM Foundation to open a museum showcasing his car collection, ensuring that his passion for automobiles will live on.

It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno, but his meticulous planning ensures that his legacy—both in entertainment and in the automotive world—will endure. What do you think of Leno’s plans for the future? Share your thoughts and let’s send Jay and Mavis all our love during this challenging time!