Jay Leno, 74, is preparing to step away from the spotlight while making significant personal and philanthropic plans. Known for his love of cars, Leno is arranging a major donation to a museum dedicated to automobiles.
After retiring from late-night television, Leno launched the web series Jay Leno’s Garage, which ran from 2015 to 2022. The show shared his passion for cars and motorcycles with a global audience, earning over 3.7 million YouTube subscribers.
In November 2022, Leno suffered severe burns in a garage fire in Burbank, California, while working under a car, resulting in third-degree burns and the loss of part of his left ear. Just two months later, he was injured in a motorcycle accident, breaking his collarbone, ribs, and kneecaps.
Despite these challenges, Leno’s devotion to his wife, Mavis Leno, remains strong. Married since 1980, the couple chose not to have children. Mavis, now 77, is battling dementia, and in April 2024, a Los Angeles court granted Leno conservatorship over her inheritance due to her declining mental capacity.
Court documents indicate Mavis has gradually lost awareness of time, space, and even her husband. Her neurologist, Dr. Cohen, notes that Leno continues to care for her with steadfast devotion, navigating her condition with patience and love.
Leno is also preparing for his own passing, outlining provisions for Mavis’ care and estate management. His estate will be placed in the Leno Marital Trust, including his $52 million car and motorcycle collection.
After both Leno and Mavis pass, the remaining assets will transfer to the JDM Foundation, a nonprofit he founded in 1988, which plans to create a museum to showcase his collection.
Additionally, Leno intends to leave $7 million to his nephew Richard Leno and Mavis’s brother, Rikki Nicholson. As he steps back from public life, fans are encouraged to celebrate his humor, generosity, and lifelong passion for cars while sending best wishes to Jay and Mavis during this challenging period.