The 73-year-old comedy icon was seen behind the wheel of his red Fiat 500, clad in his signature light blue denim shirt, dark jeans, and black shoes, as he stepped out to grab a meal at a local restaurant. This outing came on the heels of a court hearing earlier that day, where a judge determined that Leno was fit to serve as his wife’s conservator amid her debilitating cognitive decline. In January, Leno had filed a petition with the Los Angeles Superior Court to be appointed Mavis’ conservator, citing her diminishing mental capacity that has made her unable to handle her own affairs. During Tuesday’s hearing, Mavis’ lawyer confirmed that she was in agreement with the conservatorship arrangement. “Everything you’re doing is right. I totally understand this is a difficult period,” the judge told Leno, 73, before officially confirming him as Mavis’ conservator. Leno also informed the court that he was in the process of estate planning and inspecting his wife’s will. According to court documents, Mavis’ neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen, has diagnosed her with “advanced dementia” that has left her frequently disoriented and unable to recognize even her own husband at times. “She has lots of disorientation, will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago,” Mavis’ attorney, Ronald Ostrin, stated in a filing supporting Leno’s conservatorship petition. Dr. Cohen told Ostrin that despite Mavis’ cognitive impairment, “she expressed a desire to vote and told me a little about her philanthropic work,” underscoring the heartbreaking reality that the 43-year-marriage between Leno and Mavis has been profoundly impacted by her debilitating condition. In a brief interview with DailyMail.com in January, shortly after filing for the conservatorship, Leno had simply stated, “She’s fine, everybody’s good, we’re doing well. I just set up a will, in case something happens.”
The couple’s unwavering bond was on display just last week, when they were spotted attending one of Leno’s comedy shows in West Hollywood, holding hands as they left the venue together in his red sports car, both appearing to be in high spirits despite the challenges they face. As Leno navigates this difficult chapter, his devotion to Mavis and his commitment to ensuring her well-being and financial security through the conservatorship and estate planning process serve as a poignant testament to the enduring power of love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for a cherished partner. This heartbreaking yet inspiring story underscores the profound impact of dementia on families and the importance of compassionate, dedicated caregiving during such trying times.
